A New York court filing ends Jane Doe’s claims against Orazio Petito in a Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit, generally barring her from bringing the same claims against him again.
The stipulation is dated Oct. 19 and was received by the court’s electronic filing system Oct. 20. Signed by counsel, it discontinues the case with prejudice as to Petito alone. It makes no finding on the allegations and does not resolve claims against Cornell or the other defendants.
Doe alleges she was sexually assaulted at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024. Her complaint accuses Petito of failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the alleged abuse. Its sexual-assault claims name seven other students.
The complaint describes Petito as the chapter’s president at the relevant time. ABC News reported Oct. 20 that he did not hold that position when the alleged incident occurred. The stipulation gives no reason for discontinuing the claims against him.
Petito’s attorney, Eric Bernstein, told ABC News, “My client deserved to be released from this case.” According to ABC News, the seven students denied wrongdoing, and none had been criminally charged in the case as of its Oct. 20 report.
The lawsuit previously drew attention when Polymarket withdrew a contract tied to possible charges against the seven students after objections.
