ITHACA, N.Y. ― A 21-year-old president of a Cornell University fraternity has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted a woman.
Wolfgang Ballinger was released on his own recognizance Tuesday following a hearing in Ithaca.
The New York City man has been charged with felony counts of attempted rape, criminal sexual assault and sex abuse.
Police say a woman told them she was at the Psi Upsilon frat house early on the morning of Jan. 31 when she was led to Ballinger’s bedroom. According to court documents, Ballinger then forcefully tried to have sex with her despite her telling him she wasn’t interested and was too intoxicated.
Cornell has suspended the fraternity.
Ballinger’s attorney declined to comment after Tuesday’s preliminary hearing. Ballinger wasn’t in the courtroom after waiving his right to personally appear.