ITHACA, United States — A former Cornell University student who has accused several fraternity members of drugging and raping her has received threats demanding that she abandon her civil lawsuit, according to her lawyer.
Thomas Giuffra, who represents the woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe, said on Sunday, October 4, 2026, that messages threatening to silence or harm her had been sent since the case attracted national attention.
Giuffra said he had also received threats.
He did not publicly identify those responsible, and law-enforcement authorities have not announced whether anyone is under investigation in connection with the alleged intimidation.
The threats represent a new development in a case that has prompted a state criminal investigation, an independent review at Cornell, and renewed debate over New York’s sexual-assault laws.
Lawyer Says Threats Are Intended to Silence Her
Giuffra said the communications directed at his client sought to pressure her into withdrawing the lawsuit she filed in September.
“I’m not afraid of these people,” he said. “But the threats, the abuse to protect what’s going on, the status quo — these guys are disgusting. They should stay in their mother’s basement and stay out of the world.”
The lawyer did not disclose the precise language of the threats or say how they had been delivered.
The woman has remained publicly anonymous, using the pseudonym Jane Doe in court proceedings.
Her identity has nevertheless become a focus of concern as the lawsuit has generated extensive online discussion.
In recent days, supporters have responded by posting “I am Jane Doe” on social media, in part to express solidarity and make attempts to identify her through online searches more difficult.
Lawsuit Alleges 2024 Assault at Fraternity House
Doe’s lawsuit accuses seven former Cornell students of involvement in an alleged sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
She alleges that she was given alcohol, marijuana, and ketamine and became too impaired to consent before several men sexually assaulted her.
The defendants have denied wrongdoing. No one has been criminally convicted or charged over the allegations.
Cornell conducted its own disciplinary investigation after the incident. The university has said some students were expelled or suspended and that Chi Phi was banned from campus.
The civil lawsuit names Cornell and other parties in addition to the former students.
State Attorney General Now Leads Criminal Inquiry
The criminal investigation has also been reopened under new leadership.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul removed Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from the case and appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor after questions emerged about the information prosecutors originally received from Cornell University Police.
Van Houten’s office had initially declined to prosecute.
Subsequent reporting showed that Doe had told investigators she was certain she had been raped, while the shorter written statement provided to prosecutors did not contain the same explicit assertion.
Van Houten later said his office had not received the full picture when it first reviewed the allegations.
James has said her investigation will be guided by the evidence and applicable law.
Cornell Orders Independent Review
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff has described the allegations as “deeply disturbing” and said the university would commission an independent review of its response.
He has also promised a broader examination of the role of fraternities and sororities on campus.
“I believe we as an administration and we as a community must do better,” Kotlikoff said in a message to the university community.
The university has defended the disciplinary process it conducted after the alleged assault, saying it involved an extensive investigation and resulted in sanctions including expulsions and suspensions.
The allegations have nevertheless prompted protests and demands from students for greater transparency.
Giuffra said the newly reported threats would not cause his client to abandon her lawsuit.
The civil case remains pending, while James’s office is separately reviewing whether the evidence supports criminal charges.
