DA reopens ‘gang rape’ investigation as Cornell faces civil lawsuit

0 September 28, 2026 16:09

Prosecutors in New York are reopening an investigation into an alleged gang rape of a former Cornell University student after a civil lawsuit was filed earlier this month by the woman’s lawyer, claiming the school did not do enough to protect the accuser.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten told ABC his office plans to present the case to a grand jury after the original investigation into the alleged 2024 assault resulted in no criminal charges. Van Houten said the allegations in the civil complaint were “dramatically different” than the woman’s statement to police two years ago, at the time of the alleged incident.

The disturbing allegations about the assault of the former student, identified as Jane Doe, have already sparked widespread criticism and again put a spotlight on how universities handle student claims of sexual assault.

0:00 DA reopens investigation of alleged gang rape at Cornell
1:52 DA’s statement on why no charges were filed in 2024
3:21 Statement from Jane Doe’s attorney
3:50 Statement from Cornell University
5:02 Former federal prosecutor Berit Berger unpacks the evidence

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