Cornell University Sexual Assault Case: Ocasio-Cortez Reacts

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, elaborated on a sexual assault case at Cornell University that goes beyond the details outlined in a civil complaint. During a town hall held by More Perfect University in Ithaca, New York, she discussed allegations made by a former student, referred to as Jane Doe, who claims she was drugged and assaulted by several fraternity members in October 2024.

“Seven men drugged and gang raped a 20-year-old woman,” she asserted.

“They lured her into a fraternity house, drugged her with ketamine, and then bragged in a group chat that she was incapacitated as they took turns assaulting her over seven hours,” Ocasio-Cortez continued.

She emphasized that the fraternity was aware of the situation. According to her, the university was notified, yet only two members were expelled, while others faced lighter actions that included writing essays as punishment. “I want to make it clear that institutions like Cornell allow a culture of rape, sexual assault, and even pedophilia to persist. This has to end,” she stated.

Cornell has contested Ocasio-Cortez’s portrayal, asserting that disciplinary actions included expulsions and suspensions, and that the essays were not the sole form of punishment. They noted that some students who received temporary suspensions were merely allowed to mitigate their actions through potential essay submissions.

The civil lawsuit filed by Doe includes disturbing claims about events that transpired in the Chi Phi fraternity house nearly two years ago.

The 101-page document accuses the university, associated fraternity entities, and several individuals of sexual assault, asserting that Doe was inebriated, coerced into taking drugs, and subjected to non-consensual sexual acts.

Reportedly, a fraternity member even shared a sexually explicit comment about her in a private group chat.

The alleged incident concluded at about 5:45 a.m., according to the civil complaint.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reviewed Doe’s statement in November 2024 and determined it did not warrant criminal charges under New York law. He stated that Doe’s account did not indicate she was drugged against her will or raped and characterized her engagement in drug use and sexual activities as “voluntary, conscious, and consensual.” However, he mentioned that the investigation has now been reopened and that a senior prosecutor, experienced in such cases, is preparing to present the matter to a grand jury, taking into account any new evidence from the civil complaint.

Scott Kretzschmar, the attorney for one of the accused, welcomed the planned investigation, firmly denying the charges against his client, who he claims did not have any sexual contact with Doe. Attorneys for other accused fraternity members have also refuted the allegations, and no criminal charges have yet been filed in relation to the case.

Cornell University expressed its commitment to the ongoing investigation, stating that its previous inquiries led to significant sanctions, including the closure of the Chi Phi chapter from campus. “Any implication that the university did not enforce meaningful consequences is untrue and irresponsible,” the university noted, highlighting that such narratives undermine the safety and support of survivors and add to the underreporting of sexual assault.

In a recent development, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor for the case.

Fox News Digital has sought further comments from both Ocasio-Cortez’s office and Cornell University.