Cornell–Chi Phi Case: Timeline and Source Reference
Information available through September 30, 2026.
This timeline combines the publicly filed civil complaint with reporting by The Times and CBS News. Allegations in the complaint are attributed to Jane Doe. Statements by Cornell, prosecutors, and defense attorneys are identified as their accounts. The sources reviewed do not establish a criminal conviction as of September 30, 2026
Source key: Complaint = Jane Doe’s lawsuit; Times = Josie Ensor’s September 30 report; CBS 1 = post-incident text-message report; CBS 2 = fraternity Snapchat video report; CBS 3 = September 30 overview, including reporting on the campus-police interview transcript. Full references appear below.
Earlier Background
2016 The complaint cites criminal charges against a president of Cornell’s Psi Upsilon fraternity arising from an alleged sexual assault at that fraternity’s residence. It presents this separate incident as background supporting its argument that Cornell knew about risks in fraternity settings. Complaint, ¶124.
March 19, 2021: According to the complaint, a student resolution requested review of Cornell’s fraternity system, including possible reform or abolition and annual reviews of fraternities. Complaint, ¶120.
August 2022: Doe arrives at Cornell at age 18 to begin undergraduate studies. She alleges that Cornell promoted Greek membership while she was unaware of the history of sexual violence described in her complaint. Complaint, ¶¶117–119, 127.
Fall 2022: The complaint cites at least five reported druggings and two reported sexual assaults at fraternity addresses during the semester. Complaint, ¶121.
November 2022: The complaint cites campus-police alerts concerning a sexual assault and students reportedly drugged at off-campus fraternity parties. Complaint, ¶125.
December 1, 2022: According to the complaint, Cornell’s Student Assembly presented Resolution 16, “Condemning Greek Life,” following the reported incidents. Complaint, ¶121.
Date unspecified, before October 2024: Doe joins Delta Delta Delta’s Alpha Beta Chapter. By the time of the alleged assaults, she resides in its sorority house at 118 Triphammer Road, Ithaca. Complaint, ¶¶130, 132.
The Event
October 19–20, 2024: The Night Described in the Complaint
The times below are approximate unless otherwise specified. The sequence represents Doe’s allegations, rather than adjudicated findings.
October 19, before approximately 8:30 p.m.: Doe consumes Tito’s vodka at her sorority residence and becomes intoxicated before a sorority social event at Moonies Bar & Nightclub. Complaint, ¶¶135–136.
Approximately 8:30 p.m.: Doe takes an Uber from the sorority house to Moonies, accompanied by the sorority house mother, identified as “Jade.” Complaint, ¶137.
Approximately 9 p.m. A Moonies bouncer marks both of Doe’s hands with an “X” identifying her as under 21. She alleges that she nevertheless receives and consumes at least one alcoholic beverage. Complaint, ¶¶138–139.
During the Moonies event; The sorority has designated sober monitors responsible for attendees’ safety and for watching for excessive intoxication or disruptive behavior. Complaint, ¶140.
Approximately 10 p.m: Doe and other sorority members leave Moonies and walk to Lot 10 Bar and Lounge, where she receives an under-21 wristband. Complaint, ¶¶141–142.
Approximately 11 p.m. Doe leaves Lot 10 alone and walks to Chi Phi’s Xi Chapter house at 107 Edgemoor Lane to visit her friend Matthew Ingalls. Complaint, ¶143.
Upon arrival Doe alleges that she is visibly intoxicated, having consumed approximately ten standard drinks within the preceding three hours. Three or four fraternity members standing near the entrance let her inside. Complaint, ¶¶144–145.
After arrival; exact time unspecified: Ingalls gives Doe a beer. They dance, after which he proposes a threesome involving another fraternity member. The complaint alleges that she is incapable of consenting because of her intoxication. Complaint, ¶¶146–149.
Later; exact time unspecified: Ingalls takes Doe upstairs and briefly leaves her with fraternity member Alex Vega. He subsequently takes her to another room, where Johnathan Newell is sitting on a couch.Complaint, ¶¶150–151.
Before approximately 1:42 a.m.: Ingalls and Newell pass around a white powder represented as ketamine. Doe alleges that they pressure her to snort it and also provide marijuana and liquor believed to be high-proof rum. Complaint, ¶¶152–154.
Following the drug and alcohol consumption: Doe alleges that Ingalls and Newell sexually assault her, including simultaneous forced oral and vaginal sex. She alleges that Newell repeatedly strikes her buttocks, causing bruising. Complaint, ¶¶155–157.
Following that alleged assault: Ingalls stops participating and goes to sleep. Doe alleges that she repeatedly pushes Newell’s hand away when he reaches toward her vagina. Complaint, ¶¶158–159.
Later; exact time unspecified. Gillio Lopes enters. Doe alleges that Lopes kisses her while Newell gropes her, and that the two then subject her to another nonconsensual sexual assault on a bed. Complaint, ¶¶160–161.
October 20, approximately 1:42 a.m.: The complaint alleges that Newell posts a message in the “Chi Phi Actives” Snapchat group advertising Doe’s sexual availability. It includes a screenshot and alleges that the message encourages other fraternity members to participate. Complaint, ¶¶162–163 and p. 27; CBS 2; CBS 3.
Later in the Snapchat conversation; exact time unspecified: CBS reports obtaining video showing a subsequent message asking, “Shop still open?” and an affirmative response. The pasted reports do not establish the precise time of that exchange. CBS 2; CBS 3.
After the initial Snapchat message: More fraternity members enter the room. Doe alleges that she hides her naked body beneath the bedcovers. Complaint, ¶164.
Later in the room: Doe alleges that Diego Sarabia grabs her face and kisses her without consent, and that she pushes him away. Her phone is across the room, and she feels unable to escape. Complaint, ¶¶165–166.
Later; exact time unspecified:Doe alleges that Newell commands her to consume another line of ketamine and resumes unwanted touching. Complaint, ¶¶167–168.
Later in the same room: The complaint alleges that Ingalls, Newell, Winston Lee, Lopes, Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar place lines of ketamine on Doe’s body and snort them. Complaint, ¶169.
Before approximately 5:45 a.m.: Ingalls and Lee take Doe to a smaller room believed to be the fraternity president’s office. She alleges that they direct her to consume more ketamine and sexually assault her after she becomes completely incapacitated. Complaint, ¶¶170–173.
Approximately 5:45 a.m. According to the complaint, the final alleged assault ends and Doe loses consciousness. Complaint, ¶174.
Later October 20: Doe wakes and returns to her sorority residence in shock. She notices a large bruise on her buttocks and takes preventive medication for a urinary tract infection. Complaint, ¶¶175–177.
Later October 20:Doe learns that accounts of what happened at the fraternity house are circulating on campus. Complaint, ¶178.
Afterward: Messages, Reporting, and the Initial Criminal Review
Date Event or reported account Source
Approximately October 22, 2024: CBS reports screenshots of an exchange between Doe and an unnamed defendant two days after the alleged assaults. The date is inferred from that description; the article does not supply an exact timestamp. CBS 1; CBS 3.
In that reported exchange: The man apologizes, describes his memory as impaired, and says he and another man failed to stop events and remove additional people before the situation escalated.CBS 1; CBS 3.
In the same reported exchange: Doe describes clouded memories, says the sexual activity was not illegal, and expresses that she liked being with two of the men. She also suggests another meeting without the additional men or ketamine. CBS 1; CBS 3.
Authentication and interpretation of the exchange: Doe’s attorney confirms that she exchanged texts with the defendant, but cannot confirm the specific screenshots CBS received. He attributes her reassuring tone to trauma, denial, and an effort to obtain information. These explanations are his account of her response. CBS 1; CBS 3.
On or about November 8, 2024: The complaint says Doe reports the incident to Cornell University Police, encouraged by friends. This is campus police, not Ithaca City Police. Complaint, ¶179.
On or about November 8, 2024: According to the complaint, Chi Phi’s Xi Chapter receives a temporary suspension for alleged Student Code of Conduct violations. Complaint, ¶180.
On or about November 8, 2024: The complaint says several students, including the seven named student defendants, receive temporary suspensions and opportunities to submit mitigating essays. Cornell later disputes any suggestion that essays were the sole consequence. Complaint, ¶181; CBS 3.
November 14–15, 2024: According to a campus-police interview transcript obtained by CBS, Doe is interviewed over two days. These dates may describe interviews following the November 8 report; the available sources do not fully explain the relationship between the dates. CBS 3; Complaint, ¶179.
During the campus-police interview: CBS reports that Doe distinguishes an initial encounter she describes as acceptable to her despite intoxication from later events she explicitly describes as rape. She also describes gaps in her memory. CBS 3.
During preparation of the written statement, CBS reports that the investigator reads Doe’s account back to her and gives her opportunities to clarify or correct it. On the second day, she reviews a revised six-page statement and expresses confidence before signing. CBS has not obtained the final signed statement. CBS 3.
November 2024; exact date unspecified:The Tompkins County DA’s office decides not to pursue criminal charges. DA Matthew Van Houten later says the sworn statement supplied to his office described voluntary participation and did not allege involuntary drugging or gang rape. Doe’s attorney disputes that characterization. CBS 2; CBS 3; Times.
During 2024; exact date unspecified: Cornell later states that campus police supplied the DA with a screenshot from the fraternity’s Snapchat conversation. The sources do not establish whether prosecutors received the complete conversation. CBS 3.
November 26, 2024: Cornell releases a statement titled “Update on disturbing allegations of sexual violence,” discussing its ongoing investigation of allegations at the Chi Phi house. Complaint, ¶182.
During 2024; exact closure date unspecified: CBS reports that the Chi Phi chapter was closed in 2024 and remained barred from campus in September 2026.CBS 3.
Title IX Investigation and University Discipline
Date Event or reported account Source
On or about January 14, 2025: According to the complaint, Cornell begins a Title IX investigation in response to Doe’s formal complaint. The filing does not separately identify when she submitted that formal complaint. Complaint, ¶183.
May 2–29, 2025 The complaint says Cornell’s Title IX Office conducts at least twelve hearings concerning Doe’s allegations.Complaint, ¶184.
During the Title IX proceedings; date unspecified: Doe’s attorney says he understands that the post-incident text messages were presented during the proceedings. His interpretation that the panel recognized denial or trauma is not accompanied by the panel’s written reasoning in these sources. CBS 1; CBS 3.
After university adjudication; individual decision dates unspecified: Cornell says its investigation and hearings result in expulsions and suspensions. The underlying decisions and their detailed findings are not included in the sources reviewed.Times; CBS 3.
November 4, 2025: Cornell releases its 2025 sexual-assault and related-misconduct survey results. The complaint cites the survey as broader campus context, rather than a determination about Doe’s case. Complaint, ¶185.
By September 2026; exact completion date unspecified: The complaint states, upon information and belief, that the Title IX investigation has concluded. Complaint, ¶186.
Date unspecified Doe’s attorney tells CBS that she leaves Cornell after the alleged assaults. The Times also reports his allegation that Cornell refuses a tuition refund that would have helped her study elsewhere. CBS 3; Times.
September 2026: Civil Filing and Renewed Investigation
Date Event or reported account Source
September 14, 2026: Date appearing on the summons and complaint. Complaint, pp. 1, 101.
September 16, 2026, 7:05 p.m.:The civil lawsuit is filed in New York County Supreme Court under Index No. 161704/2026, NYSCEF Document No. 1. Complaint, filing stamp
.
At filing: Doe sues Cornell, Chi Phi entities, Delta Delta Delta entities, Moonies’ operator, seven student defendants, and additional individuals or unidentified advisers and board members. She requests a jury trial and damages without specifying a dollar amount. Complaint, caption, ¶¶1–7, and prayer for relief.
September 21, 2026: Cornell states that its civil-rights and student-conduct offices investigated and adjudicated the allegations and that Chi Phi’s Xi Chapter remains barred from campus. Times.
September 28, 2026: Van Houten announces that the criminal investigation will reopen following public demands that his office revisit its decision. Times; CBS 2; CBS 3.
September 28, 2026: Cornell disputes the suggestion that essays were the sole consequence, saying expulsions and suspensions followed the investigation. Times.
September 29, 2026, 8:06 a.m. update: CBS publishes additional reporting on video of the fraternity Snapchat conversation, including the later exchange about whether sexual access remained available. CBS 2.
September 29, 2026, 10:26 a.m. update:CBS publishes the reported post-incident text exchange between Doe and an unnamed defendant, together with her attorney’s explanation and authentication limitation. CBS 1.
September 29, 2026: Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff tells student government that two accused students were expelled, two suspended for at least two semesters, one had already graduated before punishment could be imposed, and two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct. CBS’s overview does not identify each student’s outcome. CBS 3.
September 29, 2026, evening: Van Houten tells CBS that he was never provided the full campus-police interview transcripts and had not seen the reported statement in which Doe explicitly described rape. He says a possible omission needs investigation outside Cornell. CBS 3.
Reported by September 30, 2026; statement date unspecified: Ithaca City Police tells CBS that the incident was never reported to that department. Cornell explains that its campus police ordinarily refer suspected crimes directly to the Tompkins County DA and that this incident fell within campus-police jurisdiction. CBS 3.
Reported by September 30, 2026; statement date unspecified: Van Houten says his office lacks access to Cornell’s Title IX records and is requesting them from Doe’s attorney. He also says his office has no indication that police interviewed the seven accused men during the original investigation. CBS 3.
Reported by September 30, 2026; statement date unspecified: Governor Kathy Hochul calls for an independent review by outside counsel of Cornell’s response. CBS 3.
September 30, 2026, 12:25 a.m. update: CBS publishes its overview incorporating the transcript reporting, disciplinary details, police-jurisdiction explanation, and renewed investigation. CBS 3.
September 30, 2026, 10 a.m. BST: The Times publishes its account of the allegations, prosecutorial decision, renewed investigation, university response, and defendants’ denials. Times.
Prospective step, announced by September 30 Van Houten says he hopes to present the case to a grand jury within approximately 45 days. This is an announced intention, not a completed grand-jury presentation or indictment in the sources reviewed. CBS 3.
Defendants’ Responses and Evidence Disputes
The dates of the underlying statements are not consistently supplied, so these responses cannot all be placed at precise points in the chronology.
Person or issue Reported response or unresolved question Source
Johnathan Newell: His lawyer denies the lawsuit’s allegations and characterizes his Snapchat remark as an immature comment rather than evidence of further wrongdoing. Times.
Scott Norris:Norris says Cornell did not find him responsible for accusations involving sexual activity and drug use. He acknowledges participating in Snapchat and briefly entering the room, but disputes being present during misconduct. Times.
Scott Kretzschmar: His lawyer says he briefly entered the room, did not touch Doe, and did not observe her in distress. The lawyer also says Cornell found him not responsible for the allegations against him. CBS 2; CBS 3.
Kretzschmar’s claimed drug test His lawyer cites a hair test that he says found no ketamine. CBS states that it has not independently reviewed the test; the pasted reports do not provide the collection date, laboratory report, or testing details. CBS 2; CBS 3.
Gillio Lopes:His lawyer unequivocally denies the allegations and says the public allegations differ from those investigated by Cornell. CBS 2; CBS 3.
Original account versus lawsuit: The DA says Doe’s sworn statement differs from the civil complaint. Her attorney says the original report is not materially different. CBS’s transcript reporting adds a distinction between initial sexual activity and later alleged rape, but CBS has not seen the final signed statement provided to prosecutors. CBS 1; CBS 2; CBS 3.
Police involvement: The complaint alleges, upon information and belief, that Ithaca Police were investigating. Ithaca City Police’s reported denial of receiving the case conflicts with that assertion. Complaint, ¶187; CBS 3.
Scope of allegations against the seven men: The complaint broadly brings sexual-misconduct claims against all seven, but its detailed narrative attributes different acts to different individuals. CBS specifically notes that the detailed act attributed to Kretzschmar concerns alleged ketamine use on Doe’s body. Complaint, ¶¶155–173; CBS 2.
Questions the Available Sources Do Not Resolve
– What did the final signed police statement contain? CBS reports on an interview transcript but has not obtained the final six-page statement. (CBS 3.)
– What material did campus police send prosecutors? Cornell confirms transmission of a Snapchat screenshot; the DA says he did not receive the full interview transcripts. The complete referral package is not available in these sources. (CBS 3.)
– How do the university’s findings map to each defendant? Cornell supplies aggregate disciplinary outcomes, while some defendants describe their individual outcomes through statements or attorneys. The complete adjudication records are not provided. (CBS 3; Times.)
– What explains the November 8 and November 14–15 dates? The complaint dates the report to approximately November 8; CBS dates the recorded interviews to November 14–15. An initial report followed by later interviews is possible, but not established by the available material. (Complaint, ¶179; CBS 3.)
Works Cited
Complaint
Doe v. Cornell University, Inc., et al.: Summons and Complaint. Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, 16 Sept. 2026. Index no. 161704/2026, NYSCEF document no. 1. 101 pp. doe-cornell-new-york-supreme Times
Ensor, Josie. “The ‘Cornell 7’ Gang-Rape Case and a Troubling Ivy League Fraternity Culture.” The Times, 30 Sept. 2026, 10:00 a.m. BST. Article. Article text supplied by the reader.
CBS 1
Saeidi, Mahsa. “Exclusive Text Messages Reveal New Details in Alleged Gang Rape at Cornell University.” CBS New York, updated 29 Sept. 2026, 10:26 a.m. EDT. Article. Article text supplied by the reader.
CBS 2
Saeidi, Mahsa. “Exclusive Video Obtained of Cornell Fraternity’s Text Chain in Alleged Gang Rape Investigation.” CBS New York, updated 29 Sept. 2026, 8:06 a.m. EDT. Article.
CBS 3
Suarez Sang, Lucia I., and Jordan Freiman. “Details Emerge in Case of Former Cornell Student Alleging Gang Rape by Fraternity Members.” CBS News, updated 30 Sept. 2026, 12:25 a.m. EDT. Article. Article text supplied as an attachment.