Author: Hank Nuwer

Web Posted: 05/28/2009 12:00 CDT
Camelot VFD is suspended
By Robert Crowe – Express-News

A Northeast Side volunteer fire department has been suspended while the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office investigates allegations of misconduct among its members.

County officials this week informed the Camelot Volunteer Fire Department that it would not be permitted to respond to emergencies while fire marshals investigate allegations that its members discriminated against a firefighter because of his sexual orientation, said Camelot VFD Chief Edwin Eisenbeck. The suspension was effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

“We’ll get through this,” Eisenbeck said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s just a small stumbling block.”

The suspension could last up to six months. For now, departments in Windcrest and Converse will respond to emergencies in the 3 1/2 miles that cover Camelot’s boundaries.

“We were already on automatic response for their fires,” said Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dan Reese. “Now we will be responding to medical emergencies.”

A former volunteer told investigators that colleagues damaged his car because he’s gay, Eisenbeck said. That employee also told investigators that he was terminated because of his sexual orientation.

But Eisenbeck denied that allegation Wednesday.

“I fired him after I found out he stole a couple dollars from other firefighters,” he said. “He told me it was because he was gay. I told him it was because he stole.”

The department was already in trouble with fire marshals after an alleged hazing incident in recent months.

County commissioners suspended the department’s funding after the hazing allegations. Eisenbeck said a captain and lieutenant were terminated as a result of that investigation.

“That wasn’t any hazing going on, but there was a bunch of guys making bad choices,” he said.

Staff Writer Valentino Lucio contributed to this report.

Proposed settlement reached in alleged Calhoun hazing

5/27/2009 9:00 AM
By Justin Anderson -Kanawha Bureau

CHARLESTON — A proposed settlement has been reached in a lawsuit brought against the Calhoun County Board of Education over the alleged hazing of a high school football player.

Sherry Patterson of Orma had sued the board, four football players and the parents of three on March 12 over the alleged hazing of her son, Mitchell.

The incident allegedly occurred in the locker room at Calhoun High School during summer football practice in August 2008.

School officials had investigated the incident and found no evidence of hazing.

But in a recent filing in the case, Patterson says her lawyer, Tim Carrico, and the school board have reached a proposed settlement of $15,000. The filing adds that the boy had incurred about $479 in medical bills that have been paid in full.

Patterson filed a motion for authority to compromise and settle all claims with Kanawha Circuit Court last month.

The filing says the board and the plaintiffs have agreed to settle the case, contingent upon the approval of the board’s insurer, National Union Fire Insurance Company.

The motion says that Carrico will collect $3,750 in fees from the settlement and the rest will be used to buy Mitchell a car to travel back and forth to Clay County, where he transferred after the alleged hazing.

Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker appointed lawyer Troy Giatras to serve as Mitchell’s guardian ad litem to make sure the settlement is in the boy’s best interests.

A hearing has been set for June 3.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-446

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Source Cal Poly News release

CAMPUS NEWS
Week of 5/31/2009

Greek Chapter Suspended After Hazing Incident

Cal Poly Pomona announced today that the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and nine of its current members have been placed on immediate interim suspension, pending the completion of both criminal and disciplinary investigations involving alleged multiple acts of hazing that occurred on March 6, 2009. The fraternity’s campus accounts have been frozen and it will not be permitted to use university facilities.

The investigations to date have uncovered the following: 14 students were blindfolded and driven to an undisclosed location in the high desert for a fraternity initiation ceremony attended by over 130 fraternity members and alumni. The blindfolded students were positioned around a large bonfire and as their blindfolds were removed, gasoline was doused onto the fire for dramatic effect. Some gasoline splashed onto one of the students, who suffered second-degree burns to his arms, legs and chest. The victim, who has requested anonymity, has since withdrawn from school.

“These allegations are serious. If found to be true, this incident put student lives at risk and reflects incredibly poor judgment by the student and alumni members of Sigma Phi Epsilon,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Freer. “Our university policy on hazing is clear: zero tolerance. Our actions today reflect that when students choose to violate state laws and university policy on hazing, they will be held fully accountable.”

University officials were notified of the details of the incident on May 28, which have since been corroborated. Investigators are seeking to more fully determine the events leading up to and following the incident, including allegations that the victim was not provided appropriate and timely medical attention when it was requested and that alcohol was provided to students under 21, including the victim. At the conclusion of the full investigations, university officials and campus police will determine appropriate action toward the fraternity and its members.