Actors Florence Pugh and Josh Gad have spoken publicly after a former Cornell University student filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024.
The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, alleges that the assault took place at the fraternity’s house in Ithaca, New York. The lawsuit names the seven students, Cornell University, Chi Phi-related organisations and other individuals and organisations as defendants. The allegations have not been proven in court.
According to the lawsuit, the woman reported the alleged incident to Cornell University Police in November 2024. Cornell subsequently conducted an internal investigation, while the university’s Chi Phi chapter was placed under suspension and later barred from campus. Cornell said its investigation has concluded but declined to disclose individual disciplinary outcomes because of federal privacy requirements.
Pugh addressed the case in an Instagram statement, calling for greater accountability from educational institutions and support for women who report sexual violence.
“Colleges/schools/universities repeatedly fail women around the world,” Pugh wrote.
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She also criticised institutions that, in her view, protect or impose insufficient penalties on men accused of sexual violence.
Pugh later claimed that Instagram had restricted the reach of her post, writing that the platform had prevented it from reaching the “right people.”
Gad also commented on the case, criticising reports that some students were offered written assignments as part of disciplinary measures. He wrote: “There is NO SUCH THING as white collar rape.”
The comments came as the handling of the allegations has attracted renewed public attention following the filing of the civil lawsuit.
One of the defendants has denied the allegations through his attorney. Attorney Jeremy Saland, representing Scott Kretzschmar, told The Cornell Daily Sun that his client “wholeheartedly” denied the allegations and said the defence had documents and other evidence that it believes contradict the plaintiff’s account.
Cornell has said that its investigation into the incident has concluded and that the university’s Chi Phi chapter remains barred from campus. The university said it could not comment on individual student disciplinary measures because of federal privacy laws.
The criminal investigation has also taken a new turn. Tompkins County District Attorney Cotter announced that his office is reopening the investigation into the allegations following the filing of the civil lawsuit, according to reporting published on September 28.
Earlier reports had said prosecutors found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges. The reopening means the criminal aspect of the case is now being reviewed again, while the civil lawsuit continues.
The case has prompted wider discussion about sexual violence, university disciplinary procedures and the responsibilities of educational institutions when allegations are reported.
