One of seven Cornell University fraternity members accused in a civil lawsuit of gang raping a former student in October 2024 has provided a sworn statement to campus police alleging that he was too intoxicated to consent and that the alleged victim assaulted him that night. Matthew Ingalls, a former Chi Phi member expelled from Cornell in 2024, told investigators in November 2024 that he was unable to consent due to alcohol and ketamine consumption, according to records reviewed by ABC News.
The allegations stem from a civil lawsuit filed in September 2025 by an undergraduate identified only as Jane Doe, who claims she was drugged with ketamine and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members during a party at the Chi Phi house on October 19, 2024. The lawsuit names Ingalls and six other former Cornell students as defendants. Cornell University confirmed Ingalls’ expulsion following an internal investigation but has not publicly addressed the conflicting statements.
Chi Phi fraternity’s alleged efforts to suppress the incident
ABC News obtained records showing that Cornell police received an anonymous tip in October 2024 alleging that Chi Phi leadership attempted to prevent witnesses from discussing the incident. The tip stated that fraternity leaders asked a potential witness to remain silent because “the reputation of all involved and the frat would be ruined” if details spread. Investigators later reviewed group messages in which fraternity members described the night as a “consensual orgy” but expressed concern about negative publicity.
A female student who spoke to investigators said Chi Phi held a meeting to align members’ accounts of the event. The woman, who was not named in the records, stated that the fraternity’s leadership framed the incident as consensual to protect their image. Cornell police interviewed at least two fraternity members, one of whom claimed the topic was only briefly mentioned during a routine chapter meeting as part of a “brother of the week” discussion.
Jane Doe’s legal claims and online response
Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, told CNN that his client has received threats aimed at exposing her identity. Supporters have launched an online campaign using the hashtag #IAmJaneDoe to obscure her identity by flooding search results with false or unrelated profiles. Political commentator Michael Tracey has publicly sought her identity, while others on social media have posted satirical or fictional “Jane Doe” profiles to complicate efforts to identify her.
In court filings, Doe’s lawsuit alleges that she was rendered incapacitated by ketamine and subjected to non-consensual sex acts by multiple men. The lawsuit states that she reported the incident to Cornell police in November 2024, three weeks after it occurred. The local district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, declined to pursue criminal charges in 2024, citing Doe’s initial statements to police that indicated consent, according to ABC News. The DA’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Ingalls’ conflicting account and legal implications
Ingalls’ statement to campus police, made in November 2024, presents a diametrically opposed version of events. He claimed he was too intoxicated to consent and suggested that Doe initiated sexual contact. This account contradicts Doe’s lawsuit, which describes her as incapacitated and unable to consent. Ingalls’ LinkedIn profile, which has since been deleted, previously listed him as a member of Cornell’s rugby team and a Chi Phi brother.
The civil lawsuit, filed in September 2025, seeks damages and has drawn national attention to Cornell’s handling of sexual assault allegations. The case has prompted discussions about campus safety policies and the treatment of sexual misconduct claims at Ivy League institutions. Cornell University has not commented on the ongoing litigation or the conflicting statements.
Timeline of key events
- October 19, 2024: Alleged gang rape at Chi Phi fraternity house.
- Late October 2024: Anonymous tip to Cornell police alleges Chi Phi attempted to cover up the incident.
- November 2024: Jane Doe reports the incident to campus police; Ingalls tells investigators he was too intoxicated to consent.
- 2024: Cornell expels Ingalls and six other fraternity members following an internal investigation.
- September 2025: Jane Doe files a civil lawsuit naming seven former Cornell students.
- September 2025: Ingalls’ conflicting statement surfaces in newly reviewed police records.