A civil lawsuit filed in late September 2024 changed everything for seven members of Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity. Now widely known as the "Cornell 7," these former students found themselves at the center of a national firestorm after a former student filed a detailed complaint accusing them of drugging and sexually assaulting her at the fraternity house back in October 2024.
The story exploded far beyond the Ivy League campus when former South Park writer and satirist Toby Morton stepped in, launching the website TheCornell7.org, publishing names, and using online pressure tactics to demand accountability. Public outrage quickly intensified, drawing comments from high-profile figures like Florence Pugh and Josh Gad. With Tompkins County prosecutors officially reopening the criminal investigation and sending evidence to a grand jury, people are asking who these individuals are and where their lives stand right now.
Who Are the Cornell 7 Members Named in the Lawsuit?
The civil complaint filed by the victim's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, explicitly names seven former Chi Phi fraternity members. They are Matthew Ingalls, Johnathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar.
When the lawsuit first gained traction, public scrutiny landed hard on their professional and personal lives. For instance, reports confirmed that Diego Sarabia was let go from his employment at Wells Fargo following the online exposure driven by Morton's campaign and public backlash. Other members have faced similar fallout as screenshots of group chats and digital conversations related to the night in question began circulating heavily across media outlets like the New York Post.
What Institutional Discipline Did They Face?
One of the most contentious elements of this entire controversy is how Cornell University initially handled the incident internally. According to legal filings, the victim reported the assault to campus police in November 2024.
The university launched an internal investigation that resulted in temporary suspensions. Yet, the civil lawsuit alleges that the administrative punishment ended up being shockingly lenient for most involved. Out of the seven accused, only two were ultimately expelled from the institution. The remaining five received lighter penalties, which included brief suspensions, mandatory workshops, and writing reflective essays.
This light disciplinary response is a core reason why public anger has been so fierce. Critics, activists, and the victim's legal team argue that the institution failed to protect students adequately, allowing alleged perpetrators to remain on campus or receive minor slaps on the wrist while the victim suffered severe psychological distress that eventually forced her to leave Cornell entirely.
Where the Criminal Investigation Stands Today
For nearly two years, the legal needle barely moved on the criminal side. Initially, the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office reviewed the police findings and concluded there was insufficient evidence to secure criminal charges.
That changed rapidly once the civil lawsuit went public and high-profile activists amplified the narrative. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that the criminal investigation has officially been reopened. The case is now heading to a grand jury, meaning prosecutors will review the evidence afresh to determine if criminal indictments are warranted against any of the seven men.
As the grand jury weighs the evidence, the fallout continues to reverberate. Public pressure campaigns, corporate terminations, and renewed prosecutional scrutiny show that accountability is rarely confined to a campus disciplinary board once public attention takes hold.
