"It's the destruction of a life...": Josh Gad reacts to Cornell sexual assault lawsuit
Actor Josh Gad condemns Cornell University's lenient disciplinary actions following a student's sexual assault allegations involving Chi Phi fraternity.
Actor Josh Gad has launched a scathing attack on Cornell University, condemning the institution's disciplinary response to allegations of sexual assault involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity. Taking to Instagram, the actor expressed outrage over what he perceives as inadequate accountability for acts of sexual violence.
Gad Condemns 'Lenient' Institutional Response
The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by a former student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members in October 2024. Gad criticized the university for what he described as trivial consequences for such severe allegations.
In a powerful social media post, Gad questioned the logic of punishing brutal violence with academic assignments. "When we start setting a precedent that our girls and women can be brutally raped, and the resulting disciplinary action is to hand out... essays... about why it was wrong to brutally violate an innocent girl, we have lost our minds," Gad wrote.
He further rejected any attempt to downplay the severity of the alleged crimes, stating: "That's not a 'mistake' that these 'aw shucks gee whiz rapist fellas' learn from. There is NO SUCH THING as white-collar rape. This isn't an Oopsie Daisy. It's the destruction of a life."
The Lawsuit and Allegations
The legal battle began on September 16, when the former student filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court against both Cornell University and the seven fraternity members. According to reports, the incident allegedly took place at a fraternity house in Ithaca on October 19, 2024.
Key details from the legal proceedings include:
- The Allegations: The plaintiff alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted during the incident.
- Disciplinary Discrepancies: The attorney for the plaintiff, Thomas Giuffra, noted that while two of the seven alleged attackers were expelled, others received lighter punishments, such as writing essays.
- Lack of Criminal Charges: Giuffra also highlighted that none of the alleged attackers have been arrested.
It is important to note that these allegations have not yet been established as fact in a court of law.
Cornell University and Chi Phi Respond
Cornell University has maintained that it followed its internal protocols. In a statement released on September 21, the university expressed its condemnation of sexual violence, calling it "fundamentally incompatible" with its values. The institution noted that its Office of Civil Rights and Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards handled the matter, and the Xi chapter of Chi Phi has been barred from campus.
However, the university declined to provide specific details regarding individual disciplinary actions, citing federal privacy laws. They emphasized that while sanctions can include expulsion, they are legally prohibited from disclosing specific student outcomes.
The Chi Phi fraternity's national headquarters also issued a statement condemning sexual violence. While they aligned themselves with the sentiment that such behavior is unacceptable, they declined to comment on the specific details of the case due to the ongoing litigation.