Hunter
10/17/24
A settlement has been reached in the remaining civil lawsuit surrounding sexual assault allegations at a University of Iowa fraternity, more than four years after a student said she was sexually assaulted by two members of the frat in 2020.
A 2021 lawsuit filed by Makena Solberg alleged Carson Steffen and Jacob Meloan committed the act after she became intoxicated at a frat house event. The two were accused of assaulting Solberg, recording the act, and distributing a photo among members of the fraternity. She also named the FIJI house, its national chapter, and the University of Iowa in her suit. All defendants had been dropped from the suit except Steffen.
Steffen had countersued, claiming defamation of character.
CBS 2 reports Solberg, who is now 23 and has since graduated from UI’sTippie College of Business Finance, said in a statement through her attorney she’s glad she chose to stand up for herself in the justice system. A lawyer for Solberg said on Wednesday that while the case has been very public at times, they won’t be speaking publicly about the specifics of the solution.
Steffen’s attorney said the settlement marks the end of “an extraordinary legal ordeal.”
Steffen still is also due in court in December to face a criminal charge of first-degree Harassment.