NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A fraternity is seeking copies of settlements in a lawsuit that accuses a dozen members of its Tulane University chapter of physically abusing pledges during an initiation ritual.
Matthew Martin’s lawsuit against Pi Kappa Alpha Corp. and its members claims he suffered second- and third-degree burns when he and other pledges were doused with boiling water during a April 2008 initiation.
In a court filing Tuesday, the fraternity’s national organization said it is entitled to details of Martin’s settlements with 10 of the 12 members he sued. Martin’s lawyers say the terms are confidential.
The fraternity said the members’ agreements are relevant because “there is a clear possibility that their dismissal was secured in exchange for testimony” against Pi Kappa Alpha.
Martin’s lawyer didn’t immediately respond to Tuesday’s filing, which will be heard by U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt.
Police booked 10 members of the fraternity on charges of aggravated second-degree battery, but prosecutors refused to pursue the charges.
Pi Kappa Alpha said Craig Rudikoff and Nicholas Maddern are the two members named as defendants in the suit who haven’t reached settlements with Martin.
Tulane suspended the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter after the hazing allegations surfaced.
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