Wells Fargo Bank has terminated the employment of Diego Sarabia, a Cornell University graduate, following the reopening of a criminal investigation into an alleged assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Sarabia had been working at the bank's Charlotte, North Carolina branch since 2022. The Tompkins County District Attorney's office announced that they would be reconsidering criminal charges related to the incident.
Sarabia is among seven Cornell alumni and fraternity brothers identified in a civil lawsuit filed by a woman referred to as Jane Doe. She alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house during October 2024. According to the lawsuit, Doe had been drinking at Moonies Bar & Nightclub before arriving at the fraternity house, where she claims she was visibly intoxicated and underage.
The lawsuit further alleges that a Chi Phi member sent a crude Snapchat message to other fraternity brothers inviting them to join in the alleged assault. Jane Doe claims several men subsequently entered the room, including Sarabia, who allegedly participated in the ordeal. Moonies Bar & Nightclub has rejected the claim that its staff served underage guests, stating that they marked the hands of underage guests and issued wristbands exclusively to customers aged 21 or older.
When Doe first reported the alleged incident, the Tompkins County D.A.'s Office chose not to file charges. However, the prosecutor confirmed that the investigation was being reopened and that he intends to present the case to a grand jury. No criminal charges have been filed against Sarabia or any of the other men named in the civil suit.
Despite the absence of formal charges, the renewed prosecutorial interest appears to have prompted Wells Fargo to act swiftly. The bank's decision to terminate Sarabia's employment was first reported by TMZ. Neither the bank nor Sarabia had responded to requests for comment on the matter at the time of reporting.
The incident at Cornell University is not an isolated case, as other companies have also taken action against employees accused of misconduct. Recently, Oracle announced that it would be cutting about 21,000 jobs worldwide as part of an AI-driven restructuring. The layoffs came as Oracle expanded its AI infrastructure and reported strong growth in its AI business.
The Wells Fargo case highlights the challenges companies face in balancing employee rights with the need to take action against individuals accused of serious misconduct. As the investigation into the alleged assault continues, Sarabia's termination serves as a reminder that employers may take swift action when faced with allegations of serious misconduct, even in the absence of formal charges.
Key points
- Wells Fargo fired Diego Sarabia over an alleged crime he committed while a Cornell University student in 2024.
- The alleged incident involved a woman who claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house.
- The Tompkins County D.A.'s Office is reopening the investigation and intends to present the case to a grand jury.
