Allegations of physical and mental torture.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: A former fraternity member at Penn State turned whistleblower who revealed sexual harassment and hazing at the school’s chapter of Kappa Delta Rho is now suing his alma mater for their alleged negligence in allowing the incidents to occur.
James Vivenzio’s revelations drew national attention for transgressions that included posting photos of nude photos of unconscious women on Facebook. It ultimately resulted in the expulsion of 38 members from Penn State’s Kappa Delta Rho chapter as well as the revocation of its charter for three years.
Now 21, Vivenzio “claims in his lawsuit that he was subjected to cigarette burns, late-night lineups that involved “force-feeding bucketfuls of liquor mixed with urine, vomit, hot sauce and other liquid and semi-solid ingredients,” “gladiator’ games that entailed the risk bodily injury, and drinking hard liquor non-stop until vomiting was induced, according to USA Today.
A letter from Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, to the university’s Intrafraternity Council also cited physical and emotional abuse of pledges, along with drug sales and use. Among other duties, USA Today reported KDR pledges were required to create stories with pornographic images and a “sex position of the day.”
The lawsuit holds Penn State responsible for allowing the abuse to take place despite assurances that it enforced a “zero tolerance” policy in regards to hazing.
Attorney Aaron Freiwald claimed the university was made aware of the situation months ago, but apparently did not act decisively, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazaette.
Lisa Powers, a Penn State spokeswoman, said the school “strongly disputes the allegations.” She said Penn State acted when alerted April 2014, but neither Vivenzio nor his family would file a complaint or provide documentation.