Title IX records describe accounts from the former student, accused fraternity members and witnesses as state authorities take over the investigation.
ITHACA, NY — A man accused in a former Cornell University student’s sexual assault case allegedly asked her not to “say anything” after the encounter, according to Title IX investigation records obtained by CBS News New York, adding another detail to allegations that have brought renewed scrutiny to the university and local authorities.
The records are part of Cornell’s internal investigation into allegations by a woman identified in court papers as Jane Doe, who says she was sexually assaulted by multiple men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. No individual has been criminally charged in the case. The allegations have received renewed attention since Doe filed a civil lawsuit in September and previously undisclosed investigative material became public.
CBS News New York reported Friday that it obtained records from Cornell’s Title IX investigation containing accounts from Doe, men she accused and witnesses. The outlet reported that one of the accused men allegedly asked Doe not to “say anything.” The publicly available CBS report did not provide enough context to independently establish the circumstances surrounding that remark, and the allegation has not been proven in criminal court.
Other investigative records released or reported this week have provided a broader account of what Doe told Cornell investigators. A transcript of her November 2024 interview with Cornell University police shows that she distinguished between sexual activity earlier in the night and what she said happened later. She described consuming alcohol and drugs and having gaps in her memory. According to the transcript obtained by CBS News, she told investigators she could say “with 100% confidence” that she had been raped.
The transcript also shows Doe telling investigators she had been uncomfortable with some of the sexual activity and describing herself as incapacitated. Investigators questioned her about how she responded when men asked her for sex and worked with her to prepare a written statement. The interview began Nov. 14, 2024, more than three weeks after the alleged incident, and continued the following day.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten told CBS News New York this week that he had not seen that interview transcript before his office decided not to pursue criminal charges. Van Houten said his earlier decision was based on Doe’s signed statement. After being told about the transcript, he said the discrepancy needed further investigation. His office reopened the criminal investigation in late September and had planned to present evidence to a grand jury.
Cornell has said its police department provided the district attorney’s office with Doe’s sworn six-page statement and other evidence. The university also conducted its own disciplinary process. Cornell has said sanctions stemming from its proceedings included expulsions and suspensions. The Chi Phi chapter was closed in 2024 and remains barred from campus. Cornell’s Student Assembly has since called for greater disclosure about the university’s handling of the allegations and its coordination with law enforcement.
Doe filed a civil lawsuit Sept. 16 against seven former fraternity members, Cornell, Chi Phi and other defendants. She alleges she was intoxicated, pressured to use drugs and sexually assaulted at the fraternity house. The defendants have not been convicted of crimes, and accounts of the night contained in investigative records differ on important points. At least one attorney representing a defendant has publicly denied that his client engaged in sexual activity with Doe or committed a crime.
The handling of the case changed again Thursday when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed the office of Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. Hochul said newly released information had raised serious questions about the original Cornell police investigation and the decision by the Tompkins County district attorney not to prosecute the case. James said her office would conduct an investigation guided by the facts and the law.
The attorney general’s office now has authority to oversee the renewed criminal investigation and, if warranted by the evidence, present the matter to a grand jury. The newly disclosed transcripts and other records remain allegations and investigative material rather than criminal findings, and no criminal charges had been announced as of Friday.
Author note: Last updated Oct. 2, 2026.