Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni Chapter in Baltimore Hit With $4M Hazing Lawsuit

Updated 3:28 pm EST, 1/23/2015

A $4 million lawsuit was recently filed against the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and five of its leaders alleged to conduct and participate in hazing rituals, reports say.

“While the university is not a named defendant in the case, Coppin State University does not tolerate or condone any incident of hazing or abuse and takes accusations of such seriously,” according to a university release on Tuesday.

From WBALTV.com, “The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Prince George’s County because the victim’s lawyers said the hazing occurred during the nights and early mornings between February and March 2013 at Rogers’ Fort Washington house during the spring membership intake process.”

Johnny Powell II, a former pledge of Kappa Alpha Psi, filed a civil lawsuit against the fraternity and five members, Dedric Rogers, Kenneth Pough, Jose Biaz, Tyree Williams, Mark Briggs, accusing them of “hazing, false imprisonment, negligence and gross negligence,” according to the lawsuit.

Due to injuries suffered from hazing rituals between February and March 2013 at defendant’s Rogers house, Powell at once point in time was admitted for a five-day stay at Franklin Square Hospital.

Powell, who was a student at Stevenson University at the time and played on the varsity volleyball team, was pledging through Coppin State in an attempt to charter a Kappa Alpha Psi chapter at Stevenson.