Latest news with #PhiGammaDelta
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Missouri debates 'Danny's Law' for hazing call protections
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With about a week left in the Missouri legislative session, lawmakers are considering a measure that would protect those who call for help for someone in need at a party. It was inspired by a University of Missouri student who was left with serious injuries after a hazing incident at a now-shuttered fraternity. Danny Santulli, now 19, was at a party at his fraternity when former members of his same student organization began giving him alcohol. Court documents show members of the now defunct fraternity chapter of Phi Gamma Delta said fraternity brothers ordered Santulli, a minor at the time, to drink an entire bottle of vodka at the 2021 party. This left Santulli with a host of lasting medical issues, including blindness and being bound to a wheelchair. Man claims he crashed stolen car to rid it of a demon The incident saw several fraternity members criminally charged, as well as massive lawsuits filed against the fraternity, its members, its national chapter, and the University of Missouri. State lawmakers are pushing for a new law that would grant immunity to people who call 911 during or after a hazing incident. State Senator Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, is optimistic Danny's Law will pass in the last week of the session. The bill awaits a final vote in the Missouri House, which could happen as early as Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Fox News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
South Carolina AG takes on illegal immigrant hit-and-run, promises criminals 'we're coming for you'
FIRST ON FOX - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson on Friday announced that he will be prosecuting the Salvadoran illegal immigrant accused in the fatal hit-and-run of a University of South Carolina student on Wednesday. Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz, 24, is charged with hit-and-run resulting in death, failure to give information and render aid, failure to yield the right of way and driving without a license in connection with 21-year-old Nate Baker's death, according to a statement from the Columbia Police Department (CPD). "My message to people who are here illegally, especially people who were members of gangs like TDA and MS-13 and other violent extremist groups that have crossed the border illegally … is: we're coming for you. And we're going to leave no place for you to hide. If you pose a threat to the people of South Carolina, this office will be coming for you," Wilson told Fox News Digital. He added that those here illegally who are nonviolent and seeking a better life should "find a lawful pathway to citizenship in this country, report yourself, and then follow the processes like so many millions of immigrants who come to this country to seek a better [life] for themselves and their families." Baker was riding his motorcycle on Tuesday when he collided with the suspect, who allegedly failed to yield the right of way while turning left, at the intersection of Blossom and Assembly Streets in Columbia. The 21-year-old victim was a junior at USC majoring in business. He was also an active leader in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. "I appreciate the Trump administration for patching the holes of the boat that is America. We close the borders, that's akin to plugging the holes, but we still have a lot of water that came in, a lot of the violent gang members, a lot of drugs, a lot of illicit crime that is an outflow of the illegal crossings at the southern border are still in this country," Wilson said. He continued: "We are committed here in South Carolina to working with our state partners and our federal partners and working with the Trump administration to remove those people who are violent and a threat to the public health and safety of our communities." A Department of Homeland Security source previously told Fox News Digital that Fernandez-Cruz was previously arrested by border patrol in Hidalgo, Texas, on Dec. 24, 2016. In September 2018, an immigration judge in Charlotte, North Carolina, ordered Fernandez-Cruz to be sent back to El Salvador. At the time of the crash, Fernandez-Cruz was wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), police said. Two men were with Fernandez-Cruz at the time of the accident and also fled, according to police. No charges are pending against them. The immigration status of the other men is unknown. The Phi Gamma Delta chapter at USC described Baker as "not just a brother, but a leader, a role model, and a true embodiment of what our fraternity stands for." "Nate Baker brought light, laughter, and love into all of our lives. Nate will always be remembered for the way he showed up for others and the impact he had on everyone around him," the fraternity wrote in an Instagram post. "His passion, loyalty, and love for this brotherhood will never be forgotten. May we honor his memory by living with the same kindness, selflessness and generosity that he showed to everyone around him. Rest in Peace Nathaniel Baker."
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
University documents detail reported hazing and alcohol violations by OU fraternity 'FIJI'
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — The Nu Omega Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, commonly known as 'FIJI,' suspended all activities last fall after reported hazing allegations. News 4 obtained documents from the University of Oklahoma detailing multiple violations. However, the organization has been given the green light to resume operations, per an agreement the fraternity reached with the university. PREVIOUS STORY: OU fraternity temporarily suspended after investigation into reported hazing In the documents received via an open records request, the investigation began during the Fall 2024 semester. In the report, university officials interviewed 42 people in the chapter. A drinking game that new members participated in called the 'Sidewalk Slammer,' involved a Four Loko and a 40-ounce malt liquor beverage that was taped to an individual'shands. The goal of the game was to consume half of the 40-ounce malt liquorbeverage and pour a Four Loko into the bottle, according to the documents. The documents also said new members were passed 'dip sandwiches' to eat. The sandwiches were made of bread covered in tobacco dip spit and filled with tobacco dip. News 4 went to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house Friday for comment and no one answered the door. Students on the OU campus weighed in on hazing and the investigation. Norman woman working to retrieve stolen car after police chase 'It's kind of childish. I think, you know, we're in college. I think we're a little above that,' said Cale Palmer. 'That's kind of where people find their identity, and when hazing is a part of it, they almost like, wear that with a badge of honor,' said Lucy Westemeyer. During the investigation, FIJI requested a formal hearing that started but then stopped due to negotiations with the Office of Student Conduct and the international headquarters. On January 10, 2025, the suspension of activities was lifted. News 4 obtained a statement from the international headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta: The chapter has resumed operation under the authority of a graduate trusteeship and in accordance with an educational agreement with the University. Rob Caudill, Executive Director 'If they are facing such allegations and they were supposed to be suspended until 2028, they might think it's okay to repeat this behavior, since they're not really facing the full consequences of what they were given by the university,' said Alyvia McNeal, a student. At the state level, Republican Senator Brian Guthrie (R-Bixby) introduced a bill that, if passed, would require universities to report any hazing violations to police. Currently in Oklahoma, if convicted, a person can receive a misdemeanor and possibly be fined up to $1,500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
University of Central Florida fraternity sanctioned following hazing allegations involving Nazi swastika
ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of Central Florida has temporarily suspended the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity after viewing a photo of a blindfolded pledge holding a Nazi swastika. The university learned about the image in the fall 2024 semester and determined it depicted an off-campus hazing incident from 2023, according to Courtney Gilmartin, a UCF spokeswoman. 'UCF unequivocally condemns hazing and acts of antisemitism,' Gilmartin wrote in an email. 'While we have come to understand that the students in the photo were blindfolded and unaware of the hateful symbols at the time, this does not diminish the seriousness of this incident or the harm caused.' UCF put the fraternity under an interim suspension as it continues to investigate, which means Phi Gamma Delta is now prohibited from participating in all activities, including recruitment, socials and meetings, she said. It could face additional sanctions later. The university started investigating in the fall but it took time to determine which individuals and organizations were involved, she said. UCF imposed the interim suspension on Dec. 2, 2024. Jordan Denitto, UCF's Phi Gamma Delta chapter president, said in an interview with student-newspaper Knight News this week that he and the chapter do not condone the incident. 'The current chapter members were not aware of this occurrence, and the members responsible are no longer at the University,' Denitto said. 'We continue to cooperate with the University in its investigation.' The national Phi Gamma Delta organization did not respond to requests for comment. The UCF Phi Gamma Delta chapter's social media pages no longer appear active as of Friday. The photo of the hazing incident was mailed anonymously to the Orlando Sentinel in the fall. A records request placed by the Sentinel in October 2024 for any UCF documents related to its investigation into Phi Gamma Delta had not been fulfilled as of Friday. _____
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
UCF fraternity sanctioned following hazing allegations involving Nazi swastika
The University of Central Florida has temporarily suspended the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity after viewing a photo of a blindfolded pledge holding a Nazi swastika. The university learned about the image in the fall 2024 semester and determined it depicted an off-campus hazing incident from 2023, according to Courtney Gilmartin, a UCF spokeswoman. 'UCF unequivocally condemns hazing and acts of antisemitism,' Gilmartin wrote in an email. 'While we have come to understand that the students in the photo were blindfolded and unaware of the hateful symbols at the time, this does not diminish the seriousness of this incident or the harm caused.' UCF put the fraternity under an interim suspension as it continues to investigate, which means Phi Gamma Delta is now prohibited from participating in all activities, including recruitment, socials and meetings, she said. It could face additional sanctions later. The university started investigating in the fall but it took time to determine which individuals and organizations were involved, she said. UCF imposed the interim suspension on Dec. 2, 2024. Jordan Denitto, UCF's Phi Gamma Delta chapter president, said in an interview with student-newspaper Knight News this week that he and the chapter do not condone the incident. 'The current chapter members were not aware of this occurrence, and the members responsible are no longer at the University,' Denitto said. 'We continue to cooperate with the University in its investigation.' The national Phi Gamma Delta organization did not respond to requests for comment. The UCF Phi Gamma Delta chapter's social media pages no longer appear active as of Friday. The photo of the hazing incident was mailed anonymously to the Orlando Sentinel in the fall. A records request placed by the Sentinel in October 2024 for any UCF documents related to its investigation into Phi Gamma Delta had not been fulfilled as of Friday.
