Two Cornell fraternity members expelled, others suspended in sexual assault case
A Cornell disciplinary panel expelled Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell for sexual assault, while the other five accused brothers received suspensions or other penalties.
In May 2025 a Cornell University disciplinary panel concluded that fraternity brothers Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell committed sexual assault and expelled them from the campus. The panel’s findings, based on a private campus police investigation that produced no criminal charges, also led to two-year suspensions for Winston Lee and a three-semester suspension with probation for Gillio Lopes, each required to study sexual harassment and submit reflective essays.
Former student Diego Sarabi, who had already graduated, was prohibited from returning for three years, while Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris were each ordered to write reflection papers, with Kretzschmar cleared of assault but found to have attempted sexual exploitation. These sanctions contradict the plaintiff’s September civil lawsuit, which alleged a gang rape and claimed the university only imposed essay assignments on the seven men. The university labeled the accuser’s statements as irresponsible, and the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges.
Why it matters
The case highlights how university disciplinary actions can differ sharply from civil allegations in high-profile sexual assault disputes.
How this story developed
- Sep 25 Student thought to be Korean named among defendants in Cornell sexual assault lawsuit
- Sep 28 Cornell confirmed the Chi Phi fraternity chapter remains barred from operating on campus.
- Sep 29 DA released excerpts of the survivor’s police statement and senior prosecutor began preparing the case for a grand jury.
- Oct 1 Cornell has agreed to bring in an outside firm to investigate allegations of a gang rape on campus.
- Oct 1 Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff approved an independent third‑party investigation into the university’s handling of the 2024 fraternity assault allegations.
- Oct 2 Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit alleging assault by former fraternity members.
- Oct 2 State officials have stepped in to review the university’s handling of the allegations.
- Oct 3 Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the reopened investigation.
- Oct 4 Governor Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor and Cornell announced an independent external review of its handling of the allegations.
- Oct 4 President Michael Kotlikoff issued a video statement pledging greater transparency and acknowledging the need for better prevention measures.
- Oct 4 The plaintiff’s attorney says threats have been made against both the plaintiff and himself to pressure a withdrawal of the lawsuit.
- Oct 5 The disciplinary panel issued specific sanctions—expulsions, a three‑year ban, suspensions and mandatory training—for each of the seven accused men.
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