College sued over alleged hazing

NEW YORK, April 25 (UPI) -- A college student from New York City has sued a college in upstate New York, saying he was subjected to abusive hazing that led him to drop out.

Michael Warren said that as a pledge to Alpha Delta Omega chapter at Hartwick College last year he endured both physical and emotional abuse, the New York Daily News reported Monday. He said he was paddled on his rear end and he and five other pledges were shut in a bathroom stall for a night and subjected to loud music and strobe lights.

His lawsuit, filed in state court in Brooklyn, names the college in Oneonta west of Albany, the fraternity chapter and seven fraternity members. A criminal case is pending.

"No one should have to go through what I went through in order to be a part of a brotherhood," Warren said. "This experience has abruptly changed my life."

His lawyer, Gerald Gross, said Warren lost a scholarship when he left Hartwick. He is now a student at Hofstra University in the New York suburbs.

Gross said Hartwick has had a number of hazing scandals in recent years.

"This college has a tortured history with this type of conduct," he told the News. "It's not a secret this stuff goes on but they do next to nothing to prevent it."

Hartwick did not comment on the lawsuit, the newspaper said.