Prosecutors reopen investigation into alleged 2024 Cornell Univesity rape

New York state prosecutors have reopened an investigation into an alleged 2024 gang rape at a Cornell University fraternity house, a district attorney confirmed on Monday, after a civil lawsuit filed this month by the alleged victim sparked renewed outrage.



In a lengthy statement, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten confirmed that his office would present the case against seven alleged perpetrators to a grand jury for a possible indictment.



He also sought to explain why prosecutors did not pursue criminal charges two years ago, saying that the lawsuit's allegations differed from the alleged victim's original account in 2024.



The woman, who prosecutors have not named, gave a statement to campus police at the time, according to Van Houten, that "described her drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious and consensual." T



he alleged victim's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



He told CNN in a statement that the police report was "not materially different" from the civil lawsuit's claims and criticized the district attorney's office for not pursuing a more thorough investigation sooner, the network reported.