Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ex-Cornell Frat President Pleads Guilty To Forcible Touching In Plea Deal
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 8, 2017
Modified Feb 8, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 8, 2017
Modified Feb 8, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The former president of a Cornell University fraternity who was banned from campus after being charged with attempted rape, sexual assault and sex abuse has taken a plea deal. Wolfgang Ballinger, 22, pleaded guilty to forcible touching, a misdemeanor.
In January 2016, Ballinger was accused of bringing a student into his room at the Psi Upsilon house and 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 pleaded not guilty to the felony charges and also filed a civil suit against Cornell, claiming the university didn't give him a fair hearing during its investigation.
According to the Cornell Daily Sun, prosecutors announced the plea deal:
Deputy District Attorney Andrew Bonavia said in Tompkins County Court on Tuesday that the plea deal was offered after consultation with the alleged victim and includes a three-year order of protection.
“This is an agreement that comes not only with the consultation of the complainant in this case but at the request of the complainant … including plea sentencing,” Bonavia said. “We will not be recommending under any circumstances that the defendant be incarcerated.”
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said the attorneys in his office have spent a lot of time with the victim and her family and have consulted with them at every step of the legal process.
“The victim believes that this is justice,” Van Houten said of the plea agreement. “That’s my job as the district attorney, is to make sure that the results of a criminal case produces justice. The person that is most important to me to determining that is the victim. She is wholeheartedly in support of this resolution."
Ballinger could face up to a year in prison, but the Cornell Daily Sun reports that jail time is "unlikely." He is expected to be on probation for six years.
Last fall, NYU Local reported that Ballinger was enrolled at New York University, with a source saying he was taking online classes.
Tagged
campus assault
Cornell
sexual assault
wolfgang ballinger
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .