The Wise County Guide to Hazing, Fraternity Lawsuits, and Holding Texas Universities Accountable

If you are a parent in Wise County, your worst fear may be the late-night phone call where your child’s voice is strained, or the university’s email stating your student is facing “disciplinary action” after a fraternity event. The reality of modern hazing is that it is not confined to distant campuses; it is happening right now at Texas universities where Wise County families send their children. We see it from our Houston office, serving families from Decatur to Bridgeport, from Alvord to Rhome, and throughout Wise County.

This guide exists because you deserve more than confusion and institutional stonewalling. We are The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (operating as Attorney911), and we are actively fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas right now. Our goal is to provide Wise County families with a comprehensive, clear-eyed look at hazing in 2025: what it truly looks like, how Texas law applies, what has happened at universities like the University of Houston and Texas A&M, and the legal path toward accountability and recovery.

If This Just Happened: Immediate Steps for Wise County Families

Your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call us immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours, before evidence disappears:

1. Get Medical Attention: Go to the ER or urgent care immediately. Document everything, even if your child insists they are “fine.”
2. Preserve Digital Evidence: Take screenshots of ALL group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage), social media posts, and text messages. Do not let your child delete anything.
3. Photograph Everything: Take clear photos of any injuries from multiple angles. Photograph the location where it happened, if safe.
4. Write It Down: Document names, dates, times, and everything your child tells you while their memory is fresh.
5. Do NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or university directly.
   • Sign any documents from the school or an insurance company.
   • Post details on public social media.
   • Allow evidence to be “cleaned up” or deleted.

We serve Wise County families and students across Texas. If hazing has impacted your family, you do not have to navigate this alone.

The Texas Case That Changed Everything: Leonel Bermudez vs. UH & Pi Kappa Phi

To understand the gravity and reality of hazing litigation in Texas today, you need to know about the case we are fighting right now. This is not a historical example; it is active, high-stakes proof of what we do.

In late 2025, we filed a $10 million hazing and abuse lawsuit in Harris County on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a University of Houston student and pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity’s Beta Nu chapter. The complaint alleges a campaign of systematic humiliation and violence that nearly killed him.

The Hazing He Endured:

• Humiliating “Pledge Fanny Pack”: He was forced to carry a fanny pack 24/7 containing condoms, a sex toy, nicotine devices, and other degrading items. Failure to comply meant punishment or expulsion.
• Forced Servitude: Enforced dress codes, hours-long “study blocks,” weekly interviews, and overnight driving duties for members.
• Extreme Physical and Psychological Abuse: This included sprints, bear crawls, and “save-your-brother” drills; being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding”; forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, followed immediately by more sprints; and cold-weather exposure in his underwear.
• The Final Workout: On November 3, 2025, he was forced through over 100 push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion, leaving him unable to stand without help.

The Medical Catastrophe:
Days later, Leonel’s condition deteriorated. He began passing brown urine, a classic sign of severe muscle breakdown. Rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. His creatine kinase levels were critically high. He was hospitalized for four days and faces an ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage.

Who We Are Holding Accountable:
The lawsuit names a full universe of defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, the Beta Nu housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders, including the chapter president, pledgemaster, and risk manager.

The Institutional Response:
The chapter was suspended by Pi Kappa Phi nationals on November 6, 2025. On November 14, the members voted to surrender their charter, shutting the chapter down. UH called the alleged conduct “deeply disturbing” and promised cooperation with law enforcement.

This case, covered by Click2Houston and ABC13, is the flagship example of our firm’s commitment. It shows we are not just talking about hazing law—we are actively litigating it against powerful institutions. For Wise County families, it is proof that the worst can and does happen at Texas schools, and that experienced legal counsel is critical.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like for Wise County Students

Hazing has evolved far beyond stereotypical “pranks.” It is a calculated process of coercion, control, and often, concealed violence. For Wise County students at Texas universities, it typically falls into three escalating categories:

1. Subtle Hazing (The Gateway):
This establishes power imbalances and normalizes control. It includes forced servitude (being an on-call driver, cleaning members’ rooms), social isolation from non-members, being given derogatory nicknames, and mandatory attendance at events that sabotage academics. Digitally, it manifests as 24/7 monitoring via group chats, required location sharing, and social media policing.

2. Harassment Hazing (The Abuse):
This causes emotional or physical distress. Examples are sleep deprivation through late-night “meetings,” verbal abuse and threats, food/water restriction, forced consumption of unpalatable substances (like hot sauce or raw eggs), and extreme, punitive calisthenics framed as “workouts.” Public humiliation, both in-person and through coerced social media posts, is common.

3. Violent Hazing (The Crisis):
These are the acts that cause severe injury or death. They include forced alcohol consumption (chugging, funneling, drinking games), forced drug use, physical beatings or paddling, dangerous physical “tests” like blindfolded tackles, sexualized hazing including forced nudity or simulated acts, and exposure to extreme elements (locked in freezing rooms). Today, this often happens at off-campus Airbnbs or remote properties to avoid university oversight.

Where It Happens in Texas:
While fraternities and sororities are most associated with hazing, Wise County parents should know it persists in other groups: the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, athletic teams, spirit groups like cheerleading, marching bands, and even some academic or service clubs. The common threads are tradition, secrecy, and a toxic power dynamic.

Texas Hazing Law & Liability: What Wise County Families Need to Know

Texas has specific laws governing hazing, primarily found in Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code. Understanding this framework is the first step to knowing your rights.

The Legal Definition (Sec. 37.151):
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, or affiliation with a group that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

Crucially, the law states it can occur on or off campus and that the victim’s “consent” is not a defense. If your child felt coerced by peer pressure and fear of exclusion, the law is designed to protect them.

Criminal Penalties (Sec. 37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that does not cause serious injury.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing that causes injury requiring medical treatment.
• State Jail Felony: Hazing that causes serious bodily injury or death.
  Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or for retaliating against someone who reports.

Organizational Liability (Sec. 37.153):
The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.

Civil Lawsuits vs. Criminal Cases:

• Criminal Cases: Brought by the state (DA) to punish with jail or fines. Charges can include hazing, assault, furnishing alcohol to minors, or manslaughter.
• Civil Lawsuits: Brought by victims and families to seek compensation and accountability. These cases focus on negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, and institutional failures.

A criminal case is not required to file a civil lawsuit. In fact, the civil discovery process often uncovers the evidence needed for criminal prosecution.

Who Can Be Sued in a Civil Hazing Case?
A thorough investigation identifies every liable party:

1. Individual Students who planned, participated, or covered up the acts.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity.
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for negligent supervision and failure to stop known patterns.
4. The University for deliberate indifference, negligent supervision, or Title IX violations.
5. Third Parties like landlords of unsafe properties or bars that overserved alcohol.

The National Hazing Epidemic: Patterns That Repeat in Texas

The tragedy at UH is not an isolated incident. It is part of a national pattern that Wise County families must understand to see the foreseeability and negligence involved.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern:

• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): Pledge forced to drink a bottle of alcohol; died. Result: $10 million settlement ($7M from nationals, $3M from university).
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died after a “Bible study” drinking game. Result: Louisiana passed the Max Gruver Act (felony hazing).
• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from falls after bid-night drinking; help was delayed for hours. Result: Dozens of criminal charges and the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law.

The Physical & Ritualized Violence Pattern:

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Pledge died from traumatic brain injury after a blindfolded “glass ceiling” tackling ritual at a retreat. Result: National fraternity convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania.

The Athletic Hazing Pattern:

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Widespread allegations of sexualized and racist hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements.

What This Means for Wise County: These cases create legal precedent. They show courts and juries that national fraternities and universities are on notice about these deadly scripts. When the same patterns repeat at a Texas school, it powerfully demonstrates negligence and supports claims for substantial damages.

Texas Universities Under the Microscope: A Guide for Wise County Families

Wise County students often attend both nearby universities and major hubs across the state. Here is what you need to know about hazing at key Texas campuses.

The University of Houston (UH)

For Wise County Families: UH is a major destination for Texas students. Its urban campus hosts a large Greek community.

Recent History & Incident: The Leonel Bermudez/Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu case (detailed above) is the most severe recent example, showing systemic physical abuse and life-threatening injury leading to chapter closure.

UH’s Hazing Policy & Reality: UH prohibits hazing and has reporting channels through the Dean of Students. However, as our lawsuit alleges, policies are meaningless without rigorous enforcement and proactive supervision. The university’s knowledge of systemic issues within chapters is a key area of liability.

If Hazing Happens at UH: Jurisdiction may involve UHPD and Houston Police. Civil suits are filed in Harris County. Evidence often includes deleted GroupMe chats and records from off-campus houses near campus.

Texas A&M University

For Wise County Families: Many Wise County students head to College Station. Texas A&M’s culture is deeply shaped by tradition, including the Corps of Cadets and a massive Greek system.

Corps of Cadets Hazing: In 2023, a lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound in a “roasted pig” position with an apple in his mouth. The suit sought over $1 million, highlighting that hazing extends far beyond Greek life.

Fraternity Hazing – Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Around 2021, a lawsuit alleged SAE pledges were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended.

What Parents Should Know: A&M handles cases through Student Conduct and Corps regulations. The university’s emphasis on tradition can sometimes conflict with rigorous anti-hazing enforcement. Investigations must be meticulous to navigate these complexities.

University of Texas at Austin (UT)

For Wise County Families: UT Austin is another top destination. It maintains one of the most transparent hazing databases of any Texas school.

Public Hazing Violations: UT’s online log shows repeated patterns:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): Sanctioned for forcing new members to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Faced allegations in 2024 from an exchange student who suffered a dislocated leg, broken nose, and other injuries at a chapter event.
• Various spirit and service groups have also been sanctioned for forced workouts and alcohol-related hazing.

The Value of Transparency: UT’s public database is a powerful tool. It establishes pattern evidence and prior notice, proving the university and national organizations knew certain groups were repeat offenders. This significantly strengthens civil cases.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) & Baylor University

For Wise County Families: These private, prestigious universities have active Greek systems intertwined with their campus identities.

SMU’s History: In 2017, the Kappa Alpha Order chapter was suspended for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation. As a private institution, SMU has less public reporting, but civil discovery can uncover internal reports and prior violations.

Baylor’s Context: Baylor has faced scrutiny over institutional responses to campus crises. In 2020, 14 baseball players were suspended following a hazing investigation. At religious-affiliated private schools, there can be added pressure to protect institutional reputation, making aggressive legal representation essential.

The Greek Organizations Behind the Letters: National Histories Matter

When a Wise County student is hazed by a chapter at UT or Texas A&M, they are often facing a local manifestation of a national problem. The national organization’s history is directly relevant to your case.

Why Nationals Are Liable:
National fraternities and sororities collect dues, provide insurance, set policies, and supervise chapters. When they fail to enforce their own anti-hazing rules—despite knowing the deadly patterns—they can be held negligent. This is called “negligent supervision.”

A Sample of National Patterns Present on Texas Campuses:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ): The national behind the Stone Foltz death. Known for “Big/Little” alcohol hazing rituals. Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ): Has faced numerous hazing deaths and injury lawsuits nationwide, including the chemical burn case at Texas A&M and the assault case at UT. Present at all five major Texas schools.
• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): The national in the Leonel Bermudez case. Also responsible for the Andrew Coffey alcohol poisoning death at Florida State.
• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): The national behind the Max Gruver death. Present at Texas A&M, UT, SMU.
• Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Has a history of hazing suspensions, including at SMU. Present at Texas A&M, UT, SMU.

The Legal Strategy: We use national incident databases and internal fraternity documents obtained through discovery to prove that the national headquarters knew or should have known its Texas chapter was a ticking time bomb. This “pattern and practice” evidence is crucial for overcoming defenses and securing full accountability.

The Wise County Public Records Directory: Who Really Operates Here?

As part of our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, we maintain detailed data on Greek organizations across the state. For Wise County families, it’s critical to know that these are not just social clubs—they are often legal entities with tax IDs, insurance policies, and complex structures designed to limit liability.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro & Wise County:
Wise County is part of the vast DFW metroplex, which, according to our Cause IQ data, contains over 510 Greek-related organizations. This includes undergraduate chapters, alumni associations, housing corporations, and educational foundations. When hazing occurs at a north Texas school, multiple entities within this metro may bear responsibility.

A Sampling of Texas Greek Entities from Public IRS and State Filings:

• Sigma Phi Lambda Inc., EIN 83-3123779, Corinth, TX 76210 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc., EIN 27-3662583, Lufkin, TX 75904 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, EIN 26-3170920, Denton, TX 76204 (Chapter at Texas Woman’s University)
• Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, 12650 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76244 (Cause IQ Metro Listing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc., PO Box 470061, Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity – Frisco TX Alumni Chapter, 5729 Lebanon Rd, Frisco, TX 75034 (IRS B83 Filing)

Universities Relevant to Wise County Families:
Students from Wise County attend campuses across the region and state, including:

• Regional/North Texas: University of North Texas (Denton), Texas Woman’s University (Denton), Texas A&M University-Commerce.
• Major Statewide Hubs: University of Houston, Texas A&M University (College Station), University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University (Dallas), Baylor University (Waco).

This directory illustrates the depth of our investigative work. We don’t start from scratch; we already know the legal landscape. If your child is hazed, we know how to identify every potentially liable organization behind the Greek letters.

Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Damages, and Legal Strategy

Pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous, strategic approach from day one. Here is how we build cases for Wise County families.

Critical Evidence We Pursue:

1. Digital Communications: GroupMe, WhatsApp, Discord, and text message logs—including recovering deleted messages via digital forensics.
2. Social Media: Posts, stories, DMs, and videos from Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok that document events or planning.
3. Internal Chapter Records: Pledge manuals, meeting minutes, budgets for alcohol, and communications with national headquarters.
4. University Records: Prior conduct violations for the same chapter, obtained via discovery or public records requests. UT’s public log is a prime example.
5. Medical Records: ER reports, hospitalization records, lab tests (like CK levels for rhabdomyolysis), and psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
6. Witness Statements: From other pledges, former members, roommates, and bystanders.

Types of Damages We Recover:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (past and future), lost wages, cost of missed semesters or transferring schools, and diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for families): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, to punish the defendants and deter future conduct.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses:
Universities and national fraternities have sophisticated defenses. Our insider experience is key:

• “The Pledge Consented”: We fight this with Texas law (consent is no defense) and evidence of coercion.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We prove national negligence by showing prior incidents and lax enforcement of policies.
• “Sovereign Immunity” (Public Universities): We navigate exceptions for gross negligence or pursue individual employees.
• “Insurance Doesn’t Cover Hazing”: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer. He knows how insurers try to deny claims and how to fight for coverage.

Practical Guides for Wise County Parents, Students, and Witnesses

A Parent’s Action Plan

Warning Signs: Unexplained injuries, extreme exhaustion, drastic mood changes, secrecy about group activities, constant anxiety over group chat notifications, and sudden academic decline.
What to Do: Listen without judgment, prioritize medical care, preserve all evidence, and contact an attorney before reporting to the university. The university’s interest is often institutional protection, not your child’s justice.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid: Letting your child delete messages, confronting the fraternity directly, signing university settlement offers without counsel, or posting details on social media. Watch our video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case.

A Student’s Survival Guide

Recognizing Hazing: If you feel coerced, unsafe, or humiliated for the sake of affiliation, it is hazing. “Tradition” is not an excuse.
Exiting Safely: Your safety comes first. You have the legal right to leave. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For reporting, you can use anonymous campus hotlines or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
Preserving Evidence: Screenshot everything. Take photos of injuries. Save texts and emails. Learn how with our guide on using your phone to document a legal case.

For Witnesses and Former Members

If you participated and now carry guilt, or if you saw something and are afraid to come forward, you have options. Your testimony can prevent future harm. We can help you understand your legal position and, if appropriate, facilitate cooperation with authorities in a way that protects you.

Why Choose The Manginello Law Firm / Attorney911?

For Wise County families facing the nightmare of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the power dynamics, institutional playbooks, and legal complexities of these cases.

Our Proven Advantage for Hazing Litigation:

1. We Are Fighting the Big Case Right Now: We are lead counsel in the $10 million Leonel Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi lawsuit. This is not theoretical expertise—it is active, high-stakes litigation against a major university and national fraternity.
2. Insurance Insider Knowledge: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him), spent years as a defense attorney for a national insurance firm. He knows how fraternity and university insurers undervalue claims, fight coverage, and use delay tactics. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
3. Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Managing partner Ralph Manginello was one of the few plaintiff attorneys involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by universities or national fraternities with limitless legal budgets. We have faced Goliaths before.
4. Data-Driven Investigation: We employ our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—mapping over 1,400 Greek entities across Texas—to quickly identify all potentially liable parties, from local housing corporations to national alumni boards.
5. Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the intersection of criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits. We can advise on all fronts.
6. Spanish-Language Services: Se habla Español. Mr. Peña is fluent and can serve Spanish-speaking families in Wise County and across Texas with full cultural understanding.
7. Contingency Fee Basis: We handle hazing cases on a contingency fee—you pay no upfront costs. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney’s fees. Learn more in our video, How Do Contingency Fees Work?

Your Next Step: A Free, Confidential Consultation for Wise County Families

If you suspect your child has been hazed at a Texas university—whether at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor, or any other campus—the time to act is now. Evidence disappears, witnesses are coached, and the statute of limitations is always ticking. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but the investigation must start immediately.

We invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation, and completely confidential consultation. In this meeting, we will:

• Listen carefully to your story.
• Review any evidence you have gathered.
• Explain the legal landscape and your family’s options.
• Outline our investigative strategy.
• Answer all your questions about process, timing, and costs.

You are not alone. Wise County values like family, integrity, and accountability are what drive us to hold these powerful institutions responsible.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) Today:

• 24/7 Phone: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Line: (713) 528-9070
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Se habla Español): lupe@atty911.com
• Website: https://attorney911.com

We serve families throughout Texas from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. Let us help you fight for the justice and security your child deserves.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the Leonel Bermudez / UH Pi Kappa Phi Hazing Lawsuit:

• Click2Houston (KPRC 2): https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Eyewitness News (KTRK): https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/
• Hoodline Summary: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/university-of-houston-and-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity-face-10m-lawsuit-over-alleged-hazing-and-abuse/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Using Your Cellphone to Document Evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes That Can Ruin a Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Main Firm Website:

• Attorney911 – Free Consultation: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Hazing laws are complex and fact-specific. If you believe you or your child has been a victim of hazing, please contact an attorney immediately to discuss your specific situation. The outcome of any case depends on its unique facts and applicable law.