Polymarket removes bets on outcome of Cornell sexual assault case
The online predictions market platform Polymarket has removed a contract that allowed users to bet on whether any of the seven men accused of sexually assaulting a Cornell student would be charged with a felony sex crime.
The contract had been available since Sept. 30 and was slated to close on Jan. 31. Polymarket's U.S. exchange is regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which bans trading related to "activity that is unlawful under Federal or State law."
Public Response
Online critics characterized the Polymarket contract as degrading and questioned why celebrity ambassadors would associate themselves with the company. An online petition launched by UltraViolet, a women-led national advocacy organization, singled out James, Manning and others while calling on famous endorsers to cut ties.
Case Background
A woman identified in court documents by the pseudonym Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit last month alleging that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted or exploited her in October 2024 and that Cornell mishandled her complaint. All of those men have denied her allegations, saying either that their interactions were consensual or that they weren't involved. They have not been charged with a crime.
Related
