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Cornell Fraternity President Accused Of Raping Student In Frat House


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Feb 6, 2016

Modified Apr 8, 2018


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By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Feb 6, 2016

Modified Apr 8, 2018


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The president of the Psi Upsilon fraternity at Cornell University has been arrested after allegedly raping a female student in a bedroom in his frat house, according to Ithaca police.

Wolfgang Ballinger, 21, is accused of bringing the student to his bedroom at 2 a.m. last Saturday, where he allegedly forced her to have oral sex with him, sexually abused her with his hands, and attempted to have forcible sexual intercourse with the victim. Ballinger surrendered to cops on Thursday and is being held on $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

Ballinger hails from New York, and according to a video he posted on YouTube in December, his father owns Webster Hall:

The fraternity, which according to CornellFrat.com is "a very wealthy house with a great reputation on campus" whose brothers "are generally considered to be snobby elitists" had all its activities suspended on Monday after the victim reported the alleged assault. An official with the fraternity issued the following statement:

Sexual assault, and any form of sexual harassment, is against our policy and in opposition of the values of Psi Upsilon. Our chapter is cooperating with Cornell’s investigation into this matter and any members involved will be held accountable. The Chi Chapter at Cornell has a distinguished history with the university and we are committed to continuing to be a benefit to Cornell and the Ithaca community.

Ballinger has been charged with attempted rape, criminal sexual assault, and sex abuse.

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Rebecca Fishbein

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