Cornell Expels Two Chi Phi Members as New York Authorities Reopen Criminal Probe

A 2024 gang rape allegation at Cornell University has moved into a new phase of criminal and administrative scrutiny following the revelation of specific punishments handed down to members of the now-closed Chi Phi fraternity. While Cornell’s internal Title IX investigation resulted in the expulsion of two students, the university’s decision to allow others to return to campus after serving suspensions and writing “reflection essays” has triggered a statewide review by the New York Attorney General.

According to university records and Title IX panel findings, Cornell expelled Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell for their roles in the October 19, 2024, incident. Two other students, Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes, received lesser sanctions: Lee was suspended for two years, while Lopes was suspended for three semesters. Both Lee and Lopes were also required to complete self-reflection essays as part of their disciplinary rubric.

The internal proceedings were conducted by a three-member Title IX panel. The discrepancy between the university’s administrative findings and the initial lack of criminal charges has drawn intense criticism, leading Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten to reopen the criminal investigation in late September 2026 for grand jury consideration. Van Houten previously declined to prosecute in 2024, but has now moved to review the case following the public disclosure of evidence used during the university’s private hearings.

The Title IX panel reached its decisions during closed-door administrative hearings.

Evidence and the “Cornell Seven”

The disciplinary panel’s findings were bolstered by internal Snapchat messages sent among fraternity members on the night of the alleged assault. These messages included explicit solicitations, with one member reportedly encouraging others to participate by using the phrase “free pussy” to describe the victim. While Cornell officials maintain they provided all investigatory information to local law enforcement at the time, the District Attorney’s office has faced questions regarding whether this specific digital evidence was fully reviewed during the initial 2024 inquiry.

The victim, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 naming 17 defendants, including Cornell University and seven fraternity members. The lawsuit characterizes the university’s use of reflection essays as an “egregious” mitigation of criminal conduct. The “Cornell Seven,” a term used to describe the primary group of students accused in the incident, have faced varying levels of administrative consequence, though three members of the group were not expelled or suspended for multiple years.

State and Federal Intervention

The handling of the case has escalated beyond local jurisdiction. On September 30, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James launched a formal review into Cornell’s management of the Title IX process and the subsequent disciplinary outcomes.

Cornell University has defended its process, stating that the Title IX panel reached its decisions based on the evidence available in a closed-door setting. However, the university has permanently barred the Chi Phi Xi Chapter from campus; the chapter was officially closed shortly after the 2024 incident occurred. The civil litigation remains ongoing as the grand jury begins its review of the criminal allegations.

The post Cornell Expels Two Chi Phi Members as New York Authorities Reopen Criminal Probe appeared first on World Weekly News.