NC State's Sigma Nu fraternity to close amid criminal investigation, I-Team learns

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Sigma Nu National Fraternity confirmed to the ABC11 I-Team on Friday that the Beta Tau Chapter on N.C. State University's campus will shut down.

The move comes as the chapter is under a criminal investigation after hazing allegations surfaced in October.

This also comes a day after search warrants detailed some of the graphic hazing allegations the fraternity faces. In one of the search warrants, investigators say they obtained video evidence showing a male subject vomiting onto two unidentified people lying on the floor of what investigators believe is a bathroom inside the Sigma Nu house.

In a statement to ABC11, Sigma Nu National said, in part: "This suspension comes as a result of significant and severe violations of the Fraternity's principles, law, policies, and membership requirements, as well as the policies of North Carolina State University, occurring in activities of the Beta Tau Chapter. The Fraternity reached the suspension decision in full consultation with, and with the support of, North Carolina State University officials. The Fraternity continues to appreciate the diligent work of North Carolina State University Police Department officers in their thorough investigation, which remains ongoing. The Fraternity will continue to fully support and cooperate with the procedures of law enforcement officials in this matter."

University police are conducting a separate criminal investigation into the allegations. Last week, NC State Police executed a search warrant at the fraternity house on campus.

NC State also reacted on Friday, releasing a statement to the I-Team.

"NC State does not tolerate hazing. The safety and well-being of our students is of the utmost importance," the university said. "NC State University has been notified that Sigma Nu Fraternity has suspended the Beta Tau Chapter's Charter. As the Beta Tau Chapter of Sigma Nu is no longer in good standing under the university's policies, NC State University has revoked the Chapter's recognition.

"As the NC State University Police Department criminal investigation and university conduct review processes are ongoing, we are unable to provide further comments at this time."

National chapter officials say they are not sure what next steps would happen, specifically including how long students would be allowed to stay inside the home.

The I-Team sat down with Michael Easley, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, who told the I-Team that the findings in the search warrant prove to be shocking.

"If the evidence in this search warrant ultimately proves to be true, it would represent a very degraded culture in that particular fraternal organization. And, if the allegations are true, it would be a significant departure from what would be considered traditional," said Easley.

Though no one has been formally charged yet in the investigation, Easley said that investigators could be looking at a handful of different charges based on the evidence and narratives in the search warrants.

"While you do have a hazing statute, you've got potential narcotics charges. You have potential assault charges that would need to be considered, both of which are felony level offenses," he said.

This is a breaking story. Stick with ABC11 for updates as this story develops.

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