A Cornell fraternity member accused in the alleged 2024 gang rape of a female student told university investigators that he was too intoxicated to consent and claimed that the woman had sexually assaulted him — while accusing the Ivy League school of failing to recognize him as a survivor.

Cornell frat brother Matthew Ingalls seen in a screenshot from the school’s men’s rugby team roster on June 4, 2024. Cornell

Matthew Ingalls, a member of Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity, made the allegations in a February 2025 email to the school’s Title IX office. According to records reviewed by ABC News, Ingalls accused Cornell of “gender discrimination” and “entrapment” during its investigation into allegations involving him and six other fraternity brothers.

The records are part of a growing body of evidence surrounding the controversial case, which has drawn renewed attention after the woman, identified as Jane Doe in a civil lawsuit, sued Cornell, the fraternity and the seven men she alleges assaulted her.

Ingalls accused Cornell of ignoring his claims

In his email to Cornell’s Title IX investigator, Ingalls said he believed he had also been the victim that night.

He claimed that Doe had sexually assaulted him while he was incapacitated and questioned why university officials had not informed him of his rights as an alleged survivor.

Ingalls also argued that the university’s handling of the case demonstrated gender bias, writing that the fact he had to raise the issue himself months later reinforced his concerns about the process.

The claims came after Doe had accused Ingalls of inviting her to the fraternity house on Oct. 19, 2024, where she said she was given drugs and alcohol before a sexual encounter that eventually involved multiple fraternity members.

A screenshot shows the sickening “Chi Phi Actives” Snapchat group on Oct. 20, 2024. Obtained by NY Post

Doe has said she became too intoxicated to consent and described the encounter as rape. She also reported the incident to Cornell police in November 2024.

Cornell’s investigation, however, also documented Ingalls’ own account that he had been heavily drinking and using drugs that night and was allegedly falling asleep during parts of the encounter.

Fraternity members allegedly tried to control the story

Separate records reviewed by ABC News suggest that Chi Phi members were concerned about the potential consequences after Doe reported the incident.

An anonymous caller told campus police that fraternity leaders had organized a meeting in an effort to make sure members were giving a consistent account of what had happened. According to the report, the incident was allegedly characterized among the brothers as a “consensual orgy.”

One female student interviewed by Cornell investigators said the fraternity members were worried the allegations could damage their image.

The fraternity brothers gave investigators a different account. One said the incident was not the specific subject of a meeting and that it had only been discussed during a regular weekly chapter meeting.

But messages between Ingalls and fraternity leadership appear to indicate that the allegations were being discussed.

At one point, the Chi Phi president asked Ingalls when he had last spoken with Doe. Ingalls replied that he had spoken to her the previous day and asked what the plan of action was, including whether he should call her.

Doe says she was unable to consent

Doe’s civil lawsuit alleges that what began as a sexual encounter involving Ingalls and others escalated as additional fraternity members entered the room.

She has said that she was severely impaired by drugs and alcohol by that point and was unable to resist as more men became involved.

Ingalls was also accused of communicating with other fraternity members about the encounter. According to allegations cited in the lawsuit, messages in a fraternity-wide group chat invited other men to join the sexual activity.

All seven men named in the lawsuit have denied raping Doe, and none has been criminally charged.

The Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office initially declined to bring criminal charges after reviewing Doe’s 2024 statement to police. The DA said the statement indicated that she had willingly consumed alcohol and drugs and that her account at the time suggested some of the sexual activity was consensual.

ABC News later reported that Doe’s 2024 statement also described moments when she declined particular sexual acts and said parts of the encounter felt coercive.

Cornell imposed disciplinary measures

Cornell conducted its own Title IX investigation, which included multiple hearings and interviews with witnesses. The university has said the process resulted in sanctions including expulsions and suspensions.

Cornell’s Chi Phi chapter was closed in 2024 and remains barred from campus. The university has rejected suggestions that those involved faced little or no disciplinary consequences.

However, the handling of the case has continued to generate criticism and questions about the university’s response.

In September 2026, Doe filed a civil lawsuit naming Cornell, the Chi Phi chapter, seven former students and other parties. The lawsuit renewed scrutiny of what happened inside the fraternity house and how the allegations were handled afterward.

Criminal investigation reopened

The case took another turn in September 2026 when the Tompkins County District Attorney announced that the investigation would be reopened. The decision followed the emergence of additional messages and evidence, including communications allegedly showing fraternity members discussing the incident.

Cornell has also agreed to an independent review of its handling of the allegations after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for an outside investigation.

As the scrutiny continues, the allegations remain disputed. Doe maintains that she was sexually assaulted by the fraternity members, while the seven men have denied wrongdoing. Ingalls has not been criminally charged and has not responded to requests for comment about the allegations.