Another NC State fraternity suspended from campus
RALEIGH -- Another North Carolina State University fraternity has been suspended from campus amid an investigation.
Pi Kappa Phi placed its NC State chapter on interim suspension pending an investigation of an apparent pledge book found at a restaurant near campus.
The book contained racially and sexually charged remarks and derogatory comments about women.
Fraternity CEO Mark Timmes said in a statement that the comments are offensive.
It is the second fraternity to currently be suspended on campus.
NC State's chapter of Alpha Tau Omega was suspended by the university after a student said she saw illegal drugs and was sexually assaulted at the fraternity house earlier this month.
The incident allegedly happened during a party at the Varsity Drive home on March 1.
An university spokesperson told ABC11 that the decision to suspend ATO from campus was made two days after the victim filed the complaint with campus police.
According to search warrants, the woman who reported the assault told police one of the brothers was dealing cocaine, ecstasy and acid.
The accuser also told police she witnessed several physical assaults, including one person being thrown out of a window.
Authorities have searched the fraternity house, which is located on school property. Alpha Tau Omega leases the space.
According to the warrant, officials seized a number of items including white powder and a scale.
ATO's CEO Wynn Smiley spoke with ABC11 about the allegations.
"It's devastating for the organization's reputation," said Smiley. "It's very unsettling and it's too bad this has all happened."
He says all of the items police found belong to a pledge who was living at the house.
"We kicked the kid out who's the focus of the police, and we're working with the university now through their investigation process," said Smiley.
ATO says they completed their own investigation into the claims and they believe the accuser is lying about drugs being sold at the house and being sexually assaulted.
"What she claims what happening in the chapter house was not happening," said Smiley. "This woman's claims to police that she saw all kind of drug activity going on in the house, we believe that to be at best wildly exaggerated and in many cases, fabricated. Her credibility throughout this whole process has been certainly in question."
No arrests have been made at this time in connection with the two investigations involving Alpha Tau Omega.
Officials are still investigating both cases, as well as the inappropriate book linked to Pi Kappa Phi.
