Cornell Chi Phi Lawsuit: Who Are the 7 Defendants and What Did the Leaked Snapchat Messages Reveal?
A civil lawsuit against Cornell and its banned Chi Phi fraternity details an October 2024 s*xual assault of a student, fueled by leaked Snapchat chats. Accused members, including Matthew Ingalls and Johnathan Newell, face a reopened criminal probe by Tompkins County prosecutors.
A high-profile civil lawsuit filed against Cornell University and members of its now-defunct Chi Phi fraternity has brought national scrutiny to an alleged s*xual assault from October 2024. According to reports, a former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleges she was drugged and gang-raped for hours inside the fraternity house. The case has intensified public outrage following the public release of explicit Snapchat group chat text messages circulated among fraternity members during the incident. Drugging, Snapchat Messages, Alleged Gang Rape: Inside the Cornell University Assault Case.
Inside the Leaked Group Chat Revelations
Court documents and newly disclosed media evidence highlight chilling details from the night of the assault. According to the civil complaint, while the survivor was incapacitated, a message was broadcast to the fraternity's group chat - titled "Chi Phi Actives" - stating that there was "free p***y" available in the house.
Subsequent exchanges shown in the chat logs revealed fraternity brothers inquiring if the "shop still open" to which another member responded in the affirmative. The lawsuit accuses seven individual fraternity members of direct involvement or complicity, detailing specific actions ranging from administering controlled substances to facilitating the assault. Legal representatives for the accused have denied the allegations, pointing to independent tests and alternative interpretations of the digital evidence.
7 Accused Individuals Named in the Lawsuit
The civil complaint filed in the New York Supreme Court explicitly names seven former Cornell students and fraternity members as defendants in connection with the alleged assault:
- Matthew Ingalls
- Johnathan Newell (accused in the filing of sending the initial group chat message)
- Winston Lee
- Gillio Lopes
- Diego Sarabia
- Scott Norris
- Scott Kretzschmar
Legal counsel representing various defendants have strongly contested the claims. Attorneys for individuals such as Scott Kretzschmar and Gillio Lopes have acknowledged that the digital communications were inappropriate, but explicitly denied that their clients engaged in s*xual assault or participated in the physical abuse alleged by the plaintiff. US: Former Teacher Who Gifted Student S*x Toy Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison.
Institutional Fallout and Criminal Investigation Reopened
The fallout has prompted swift institutional and legal reactions. Cornell University issued statements confirming that the Xi Chapter of Chi Phi was permanently barred from campus in 2024 and that internal Title IX proceedings resulted in formal student expulsions and suspensions. However, public pressure mounted following social media backlash regarding initial perceptions of campus accountability.
Amid the growing controversy, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that the criminal investigation has been officially reopened. Prosecutors are preparing evidence, including the newly surfaced digital communications, for presentation to a grand jury, ensuring renewed legal scrutiny for all involved parties.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 12:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
