A Cornell University student confronted Gillio Lopes, one of seven Chi Phi fraternity members named in a civil lawsuit alleging a 2024 sexual assault, in an exchange filmed on campus.
Video published by US outlet TMZ shows the woman asking Lopes whether he was ashamed to remain at Cornell while Jane Doe, the woman who made the allegations, had left the university. Lopes responded that 'there's a reason for that' but declined to explain what he meant or discuss the case.
The confrontation came as the case faces renewed scrutiny following New York Governor Kathy Hochul's appointment of Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in a reopened criminal investigation. Hochul said newly disclosed information had undermined her confidence in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's handling of the case.
Student Confronts Lopes Over Case
During the exchange, the student repeatedly questioned Lopes about his continued presence at Cornell and said she was 'ashamed to be on the same campus as you'. She also called him a 'disgusting person' and criticised a fraternity group chat referenced in Jane Doe's civil complaint.
Lopes said he did not want to discuss the case. TMZ reported that he remains enrolled at Cornell, citing the university directory.
A woman on campus confronted Gillio Lopes, of the Cornell 7 rapists in the. That takes fucking courage
— LPC (@landpalestine) October 1, 2026
How is this dude still at Cornell university ??!!! What’s the reason piece of trash ??!!! pic.twitter.com/owQNo6j94S
Lopes' lawyer Andrew Miltenberg told TMZ that the allegations should be assessed through the legal process. He said the case involved a more complicated factual picture than had initially been presented publicly.
Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court in September alleging that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted her at the fraternity house in October 2024. The allegations have not been tested in a criminal trial.
Lopes Denies Allegations Against Him
Lopes has denied wrongdoing. His lawyer Tara Davis said during an appearance on 'The Megyn Kelly Show' that Lopes had sex with Jane Doe during the night in question but maintained that the encounter was consensual.
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Davis also disputed allegations that Lopes used ketamine or participated in a Snapchat exchange involving fraternity members. She said Cornell's disciplinary investigation produced an extensive record that differed from the account in the civil complaint.
The New York Post reported that Lopes was suspended by Cornell and received additional educational sanctions, citing Davis. Cornell has said its disciplinary process resulted in suspensions and expulsions, but has not publicly disclosed the individual sanctions imposed on each student.
Criminal Investigation Reopened
The confrontation came after Van Houten announced on 28 September that his office was reopening the criminal investigation and planned to present evidence to a grand jury.
The decision followed Jane Doe's civil lawsuit and the emergence of additional material, including a transcript of her November 2024 interview with Cornell police. CBS reported that she told investigators she was '100% confident I was raped' and described being 'completely and totally incapacitated' during part of the alleged incident.
Van Houten has said he did not see the full transcript when his office initially decided not to prosecute. Hochul later appointed James as special prosecutor, saying the newly released information had raised questions about the investigation.
No criminal charges have been filed against Lopes or the other six men named in the civil lawsuit. James' appointment does not mean charges will necessarily follow.
