Fraternity sued by Palatine family issues statement

The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity has issued a statement after being named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the family of Palatine High School graduate who died Nov. 2, reportedly after an alcohol-related hazing at a Northern Illinois University chapter.

Executive Vice President Justin Buck expressed sympathies to the family and friends of David Bogenberger, 19, and said the fraternity maintains standards with respect to alcohol and hazing that led to the suspension of the Eta Nu Chapter and its former undergraduate members.

“The International Fraternity does not manage or control the day-to-day activities of the affiliated chapters nor their adult members,” Buck said in the statement. “However, it has and will continue to provide resources and education on alcohol abuse and hazing through its website; partnership with programs such as hazingprevention.org and anti-hazing hotline; and through its educational conferences which have an annual attendance of over 3300 students.”

Bogenberger’s family sued the fraternity last week, along with several members, seeking unspecified damages.