Leonel Bermudez filed a lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and several fraternity members, alleging severe hazing that resulted in hospitalization. The suit claims the university and fraternity knew of the ongoing hazing and failed to act, seeking over $10 million in damages, according to KHOU.
Bermudez reportedly endured extreme workouts, forced overeating, sleep deprivation, and simulated waterboarding, causing rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. The lawsuit says similar hazing occurred previously and seeks to hold the university, fraternity, and associated parties responsible for his physical and psychological injuries.
A lawsuit says Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledges faced strict and unsafe conditions, including enforced dress codes, long study and interview sessions, and being made to have sexually explicit items, with threats of punishment or expulsion for not following the rules. One pledge was reportedly hospitalized with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis after a physical exercise session. No pledges have contacted the police about these claims, but attorneys Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena are encouraging others who may have been affected to come forward. "If this prevents harm to another person, that's what we're hoping to do," Pena told ABC13. "Let's bring this to light. Enough is enough."
