Cornell Defense Lawyer Seeks Court Order to Restrict Plaintiff’s Attorney’s Media Activity

On October 9, James C. Knox, counsel for defendant Diego Sarabia, filed a motion in the Cornell University sexual-assault case requesting that the court prohibit further public statements by plaintiff-side attorney Thomas P. Giuffra. The filing characterizes Giuffra’s media appearances as part of an “orchestrated campaign” that, according to Knox, could prejudice the adjudicative process.

The Hill

Jane Doe alleges that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University drugged and raped her in October 2024. The lawsuit, originally filed earlier this year, was reopened last month after a period of inactivity. No discovery has commenced, and the parties have not yet filed responsive motions to the complaint.

The Hill

Knox’s motion claims that Giuffra’s public commentary “risks further prejudice” and that the plaintiff’s “ongoing media campaign” lacks substantive legal grounding because the case is still in its infancy. In response, Giuffra told NewsNation that the defense is “attempting to silence” him and his client, asserting that the defense has engaged in “wholesale leaking of confidential documents” and has tried to discredit Ms. Doe’s story. Giuffra maintains that his efforts to rebut the defense’s tactics have been successful and that “truth always wins out.”

The Hill

If the court grants Knox’s request, it could limit the ability of the plaintiff’s counsel to discuss the case publicly, shaping the narrative that reaches the media and potentially influencing public perception. Conversely, restricting Giuffra’s statements may raise concerns about the plaintiff’s access to a robust public platform to present her allegations, a factor often scrutinized in high-profile sexual-assault litigation.

The Hill

*The article reflects the positions and allegations presented by the attorneys involved; no independent verification of the claims has been reported.*

The Hill