Chi Phi fraternity brothers attempted to cover up rape allegations
6 october 2026 в 05:28
Several members of the Chi Phi fraternity involved in a scandal at Cornell University allegedly attempted to cover up accusations of gang rape, according to new information released during the investigation. After a female student reported to campus police that she was raped by seven fraternity members in October 2024, some brothers reportedly tried to «manage the damage» to ensure that the victim «was not upset by the situation».
According to data reviewed by ABC News, the fraternity’s efforts coincided with the victim, known as Jane Doe to protect her privacy, initially considering the sexual encounters consensual, before beginning to describe the situation as «gang rape» in a phone conversation. In a conversation that took place before she reported to the police on November 8, 2024, she told one of the alleged assailants, «The only way I can heal is to know what happened».
After Doe reported the incident, one of the brothers claimed he was too drunk to give consent and suggested that Doe had attacked him. Campus police interviewed numerous witnesses to determine what happened, and one of them reported that the brothers tried to calm Doe down.
Despite their attempts to reassure her, Doe ultimately decided to report the incident. Shortly after, fraternity members allegedly began devising a plan to cover up the incident. In a group chat, one brother wrote, «Damn, should I call [Jane]?» The fraternity president replied that they should wait until they decided what to do.
Records also showed that Doe remained in contact with some of the men who allegedly raped her and expressed concerns about her reputation and physical well-being after the attack. Two days after contacting the police, she reached out to three of the alleged assailants to discuss what had happened.
Hours after Doe reported to the police, the Chi Phi fraternity was suspended, and an investigation was launched. Ultimately, two of the men who allegedly raped her were suspended, but no criminal charges were filed against five others. Nearly two years after the incident, Doe filed a civil lawsuit, and the Tompkins County prosecutor announced the resumption of the investigation.
According to data reviewed by ABC News, the fraternity’s efforts coincided with the victim, known as Jane Doe to protect her privacy, initially considering the sexual encounters consensual, before beginning to describe the situation as «gang rape» in a phone conversation. In a conversation that took place before she reported to the police on November 8, 2024, she told one of the alleged assailants, «The only way I can heal is to know what happened».
After Doe reported the incident, one of the brothers claimed he was too drunk to give consent and suggested that Doe had attacked him. Campus police interviewed numerous witnesses to determine what happened, and one of them reported that the brothers tried to calm Doe down.
Despite their attempts to reassure her, Doe ultimately decided to report the incident. Shortly after, fraternity members allegedly began devising a plan to cover up the incident. In a group chat, one brother wrote, «Damn, should I call [Jane]?» The fraternity president replied that they should wait until they decided what to do.
Records also showed that Doe remained in contact with some of the men who allegedly raped her and expressed concerns about her reputation and physical well-being after the attack. Two days after contacting the police, she reached out to three of the alleged assailants to discuss what had happened.
Hours after Doe reported to the police, the Chi Phi fraternity was suspended, and an investigation was launched. Ultimately, two of the men who allegedly raped her were suspended, but no criminal charges were filed against five others. Nearly two years after the incident, Doe filed a civil lawsuit, and the Tompkins County prosecutor announced the resumption of the investigation.
© Smirnova Olga
