Cornell Jane Doe gang rape accuser claims she was falsely accused of being transgender as she refuses any GoFundMe money from supporters
Developed over time first seen 3 hours ago
A woman identified as Jane Doe, who alleges seven Cornell fraternity members sexually assaulted her in 2024, had previously faced rumours that she was transgender, according to text messages reported by CBS News. The messages also show her asking one of the accused to look for earrings she said she lost that night; the lawsuit and the university and police response have drawn national attention.
The texts show Doe discussing the rumours with Umar Matthew Ingalls on 22 and 23 October, days after the alleged assault, and describing the incident as damaging to her life and reputation. She asked Jonathan Newell about the earrings on 22 and 31 October, and he said he had not found them. Doe’s civil lawsuit alleges she was coerced into taking drugs and assaulted at an off-campus Chi Phi house; her lawyer says she has declined money raised by supporters after she left Cornell and sought a tuition refund.
- Jane Doe’s texts mention prior rumours and earrings she said she lost.
- Her lawsuit accuses seven fraternity members of sexual assault.
- Her lawyer says she declined supporters’ fundraising money.
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Cornell University is a private university in Ithaca, New York. Fraternities are student organisations that often have their own houses; the Chi Phi house mentioned in the lawsuit is off campus. Jane Doe is a name used to protect the identity of the woman who brought the case.
Doe’s civil lawsuit alleges that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted her in 2024 after she was pressured to take drugs. The men are accused, not found liable by a court. Text messages reported by CBS News refer to rumours about Doe’s gender identity and to earrings she said she lost that night; the messages do not by themselves settle what happened.
The case also involves Cornell’s and police’s responses, and has drawn attention beyond the university. Doe’s lawyer says she left Cornell, sought a tuition refund and declined money raised for her by supporters.