Ex-Cornell frat fined $12,000 for 2011 hazing death

Posted at: 10/26/2012 6:39 AM
By: Associated Press | WHEC.com

A defunct fraternity chapter has been fined $12,000 for the hazing and alcohol poisoning death of a Cornell University student from New York City.
    
The Ithaca Journal reports that a county judge sentenced the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter Thursday for violating the state's anti-hazing laws in the February 2011 death of George Desdunes (dehz-DOONZ'). Authorities say the 19-year-old sophomore from Brooklyn died after drinking too much alcohol during a hazing ritual.
    
The judge found the chapter guilty in June, when she also cleared three former pledges of hazing charges.
    
The national Sigma Alpha Epsilon said then that the fine would be paid by the chapter, which has since disbanded and wasn't represented at the sentencing.
    
Cornell withdrew recognition of the fraternity after Desdunes died.

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