Orazio Petito Removed from Cornell Fraternity Lawsuit

Orazio Petito, who had been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit stemming from sexual assault allegations at Cornell University, was formally dropped from the case on Tuesday. The lawsuit was filed by a woman known as Jane Doe who claimed she was raped by a group of men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Petito was initially named as the fraternity's president during the alleged incident, but it was later determined that he did not hold that position at the time.

Court Filing Dismisses Petito with Prejudice

According to a court document, the matter was "discontinued with prejudice as to Orazio Petito," with both parties' legal counsel agreeing to the stipulation. The document also stated that Jane Doe would hold Petito and his attorney harmless from any known or unknown liens related to the case.

The Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit was brought after Jane Doe, then an undergraduate student, reported to campus police in November 2024 that she had been raped by several men at the Chi Phi fraternity house. This report came about three weeks after the alleged incident. She subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against several men and Cornell University, claiming she had been drugged and assaulted.

Petito had never been accused of participating in the alleged assault but was named because of the mistaken belief that he was the fraternity president at the relevant time. Subsequent investigation clarified that he did not hold the presidency during the event in question.

Statements from Legal Representatives

Eric Bernstein, attorney for Orazio Petito, commented to ABC News: "My client deserved to be released from this case. They had the wrong guy and justice was served as far as Mr. Petito was concerned. We are all pleased with the outcome, and it was the right outcome." The court's dismissal means Petito has no further liability or association with the lawsuit.

Ongoing Legal and University Investigations

The case remains ongoing against other defendants. All seven fraternity brothers named in the civil lawsuit have denied any wrongdoing, and as of yet, no criminal charges have been filed. The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, is conducting an official investigation into the matter, while Cornell University has launched an internal review regarding its responses to the allegations and to campus assault protocols.

The Broader Context of Campus Assault Lawsuits

This lawsuit has drawn significant attention to issues of campus assault and university accountability. While Petito's removal demonstrates the complexities involved in correctly identifying responsible parties in such cases, legal and investigative proceedings continue in an effort to determine accountability and assess institutional responsibilities.

Source: abc7ny.com.