A lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student accuses members of the university’s Chi Phi fraternity of drugging and sexually assaulting her in October 2024. The civil complaint, filed in New York, names seven current and former students as defendants, including Winston Lee, a student widely believed to be Korean, according to multiple reports.
Initial police review did not result in criminal charges, with local media describing insufficient evidence. However, prosecutors in Tompkins County are now reopening the matter: District Attorney Matthew Van Houten says his office is reconsidering whether to pursue criminal charges, starting with discussions with the accuser and her attorneys.
As the case gains attention, outlets also report controversy over Cornell’s disciplinary outcomes. A victim’s attorney told CBS that only two of the accused were expelled and others received lighter sanctions. The Cornell Daily Sun also reported that the defendants were offered the chance to submit essays to mitigate consequences, and social media has amplified criticism of both the accused and Cornell’s handling. Separate reports note online efforts to identify information about Lee, including concerns about his current whereabouts.
