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Mom Sues Frat Over Son's Hazing Death

Suit says teen was tied up, forced to drink until he passed out

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 28, 2011 1:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity is facing a $25 million lawsuit over the alcohol-related hazing death of a Cornell University student, reports the AP. George Desdunes, 19 years old and already a full-fledged member of the frat, had his hands and feet bound in a mock kidnapping ritual and was forced to drink alcohol until he passed out, according to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by his mother.

Desdunes was found on a frat house couch the next morning with his hands and feet still bound, according to the suit, which accuses one pledge of attempting to remove the zip ties around the teen's hands and feet before police arrived. "With the death of my son, I find some comfort in knowing that this lawsuit may bring about changes in fraternities that will prevent other families from suffering," his mother says. Cornell revoked the fraternity's recognition after the death.

Several frat members were charged with first-degree hazing after the death of Desdunes. (Facebook)

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

JamesWilson

Dec 19, 2011 4:52 PM CST

No carbonated_turtle Jun 28, 2011 1:11 PM CDT you may not put words in my mouth. I am saying that you are still bitter over the fact that you were never asked to pledge any fraternity. I think, by now, you should be over it. Either forgive and forget or perhaps some professional counseling would help.

carbonatedturtle

Jun 28, 2011 1:11 PM CDT

I can't believe in 2011 that schools not only allow hazing to occur, but that they even let fraternities exist in the first place. Frats are just a clubhouse for douche bags. These date raping, beer bonging primates shouldn't be given the opportunity to all be in one house at a time.the potential for stupidity and douchebaggery is much too high. I know what some of you are saying. "I was in a fraternity in college, and I'm not a douche bag" Yes, I'm sorry, you absolutely are a douche bag, you just don't know it.

JasonAlanGlazier

Jun 28, 2011 12:46 PM CDT

whats bullshit is that when they haze people there actually being gay homos and since they bound the adult that can be considered as a hate crime

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Mom Sues Frat Over Son's Hazing Death

Suit says teen was tied up, forced to drink until he passed out

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fraternity • university • lawsuit • wrongful death • hazing • fraternity house

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