Former Cornell students have been falsely dragged into the scandal — now they demand the college clear their names

Former Cornell University students and one-time members of the Chi Phi fraternity at the center of rape allegations that have made national headlines are demanding the Ivy League clear their names after internet sluthes have ensanred them in the controversy. A firestorm broke out last month when a former Cornell student who goes by Jane Doe claimed in a lawsuit that she was drugged and gang-raped by seven members of Chi Phi at the New York school in October 2024. Despite the woman going to university police about the incident three weeks after it happened, criminal charges were not pursued. Adam Ford, a lawyer for several Chi Phi members, says his clients have been targeted after their frat was thrown into the spotlight — but they had already graduated before the reported rape took place. And now, they want the school to make clear they could not have been part of any alleged wrongdoing. Former Cornell University students and one-time members of the Chi Phi fraternity at the center of rape allegations that have made national headlines are demanding the Ivy League clear their names after internet sluthes have ensanred them in the controversy (AP)One detail that has drawn intense scrutiny is a group chat titled “Chi Phi Actives” where one of the men appears to have sent a message announcing “free p****,” inviting other members to join, according to the lawsuit. “We understand that federal privacy law limits what Cornell may say about individual students, and we are not asking Cornell to identify anyone who was in the group chat," Ford wrote in an October 3 letter to Brian White, Cornell’s vice president and general counsel, exclusively reported on by CBS News. "We are asking for the opposite: a public confirmation as to who was not."Ford said that a website created to expose people linked to the alleged gang rape posted his clients' names under a list of former Chi Phi members. In the days after, his clients received threats that read, “I will find you” and “all 57 men of the fraternity deserve public execution,” according to the lawyer. His clients’ names were later removed from the website after a cease-and-desist letter was sent on October 2, CBS News reported. Adam Ford, a lawyer for several Chi Phi members, said his clients received threats that read, ‘I will find you’ and ‘all 57 men of the fraternity deserve public execution’ (AP)The men have also faced professional consequences after being falsely dragged into the scandal, according to Ford. "Most of them have had their employers and higher education institutions take adverse actions against them, including being placed on leave," the lawyer said.Ford requested a “clear and unambiguous” statement from Cornell that frat members not enrolled during the fall of 2024 “were not on the relevant 'Chi Phi Actives' Snapchat group chat.”The Independent has reached out to Cornell for comment. The case has been reopened and handed to New York Attorney General Letitia James while the media uncovers details about the alleged gang rape. While Cornell has welcomed the reopening of Jane Doe’s case, the school also defended its actions following the woman’s report. Cornell said it conducted its own “thorough” investigation, separate from any criminal proceedings, which resulted in expulsions and suspensions. “Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false,” the school said in a September 28 statement.A firestorm broke out last month when a former Cornell student who goes by Jane Doe claimed in a lawsuit that she was drugged and gang-raped by seven members of Chi Phi at the New York school in October 2024 (Getty Images)Cornell’s statement did little to quell the outrage expressed both on campus and across the country. A large crowd of students and faculty members joined a protest at the center of Cornell’s campus Monday evening in reaction to the school’s response to Jane Doe’s allegations. The New York Times estimates that there were thousands of protesters. A seven-hour sit-in outside a dining hall followed Wednesday to represent the seven hours Jane Doe was at the Chi Phi frat house the night she was allegedly raped. Demonstrators held signs that read, “Keep our women safe. Ban the frats.” and “I don’t want to go to school with rapists.”For those affected by rape and sexual abuse, if you are in the United States, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).Rape Crisis also offers support. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk.