Cornell Sexual Assault Case Reopened as Florence Pugh and Josh Gad Demand Accountability

Cornell University campus, where a sexual assault case has drawn public attention and calls for justice. Photo credit: H. K. Barnett/ Wikimedia commons.

 A 2024 sexual-assault case involving a former Cornell University student has returned to the spotlight after a civil lawsuit and a decision by prosecutors to reopen their review. Hollywood actors Florence Pugh and Josh Gad have publicly expressed support for the woman and criticized what they described as inadequate accountability.

According to the lawsuit, the former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell in October 2024. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the seven men named in the lawsuit have the right to defend themselves.

Prosecutors reopen investigation

The case gained renewed attention after the civil lawsuit was filed in September 2026. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said prosecutors intend to reexamine the case and potentially present it to a grand jury, with the woman’s cooperation.

The district attorney said the allegations described in the new civil complaint differ significantly from the account given to police in 2024. He said prosecutors want to determine whether additional evidence could change the earlier assessment of the case.

The woman’s attorney has disputed the prosecutor’s description of her original report and argued that investigators did not adequately follow up with her.

Cornell responds

Cornell University said its Office of Civil Rights and Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigated and adjudicated the allegations under university policies.

The university also said the Chi Phi chapter remains barred from campus. Cornell cited federal privacy laws in explaining why it could not publicly disclose specific disciplinary measures involving individual students. The university said it takes allegations of sexual violence extremely seriously.

Florence Pugh speaks out

Actress Florence Pugh published a lengthy statement on social media after learning about the case. She called for greater accountability from educational institutions and urged men to speak out against sexual violence.

Pugh also directly addressed the woman at the centre of the lawsuit, expressing support for her decision to speak publicly about the allegations. 

Josh Gad also condemns alleged response

Actor Josh Gad separately criticized reports about the disciplinary response described in the lawsuit. He argued that sexual violence should not be treated as a minor disciplinary matter and expressed support for the alleged victim.

The renewed investigation means the legal process is still developing. At this stage, the allegations remain allegations, while prosecutors consider whether the available evidence warrants criminal charges.

Important: For your news website, avoid writing that the seven men “raped” the woman as an established fact. Use terms such as “alleged sexual assault,” “the lawsuit alleges,” and “accused” until a court establishes the facts.