Cornell Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter found guilty in hazing death of George Desdunes

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

/ WCBS

(CBS/AP) ITHACA, N.Y. - A fraternity has been found guilty of hazing in the alcohol poisoning death of a Cornell University student from New York City.

The Ithaca Journal reports that a county judge convicted the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter of violating the state's anti-hazing laws in the February 2011 death of 19-year-old George Desdunes. Authorities say the sophomore from Brooklyn died after drinking too much alcohol during a hazing ritual.

The judge issued her decision Tuesday, when she also cleared three former pledges of hazing charges.

The fraternity chapter faces a fine of about $12,000.

The national Sigma Alpha Epsilon organization's general counsel, Frank Ginocchio, says it wasn't involved in the case. He says the fine would be paid by the chapter, which has since disbanded.

Cornell withdrew recognition of the fraternity after Desdunes died.

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