Hazing Death Suit With National Chi Psi Fraternity Settled

Hazing Death Suit With National Chi Psi Fraternity Settled

DALLAS, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly five years after the death of her son Gordie Bailey from alcohol poisoning at the University of Colorado, the founder of The Gordie Foundation Leslie Lanahan has reached a settlement with the National Chi Psi Fraternity over the case. As a result, Chi Psi must abide by a 14-point settlement that includes prohibiting alcohol from being served at any pledge activity, ensuring alumni presence at all formal activities, and establishing live-in directors by 2012.

"From the outset, we only wanted to learn the truth about what happened to Gordie during Chi Psi fraternity's pinning ceremony," said Bailey's mother, Leslie Lanahan. "We believed all involved would want to promote change as a result of Gordie's very preventable, tragic death. After almost two years of Chi Psi leadership denying their dangerous practices, our only recourse was legal action in the hope of forcing a safer environment for pledges, and brothers. It is sad, but not surprising, that it took so long to get a response from Chi Psi."

"We are not permitted to discuss financial terms, but all proceeds go to The Gordie Foundation," said Michael Lanahan, Bailey's stepfather. "More importantly, we believe changes agreed to by Chi Psi will fundamentally change the way it conducts its business, making the Greek system on many campuses safer and, most importantly, saving lives."

The Gordie Foundation has produced a full length documentary film, "HAZE", examining the college drinking culture in America - including the death of Gordie. The film - which includes an introduction by the foundation's honorary chairperson and national spokesperson, Robin Wright Penn - was screened at the 2009 AFI DALLAS International Film Festival last month and the 2008 Hamptons Film Festival last October. It will be screened this month at the 2009 Newport Beach International Film Festival and the 2009 Indie Spirit Film Festival. "HAZE" may be viewed online free of charge at www.hulu.com and www.snagfilms.com, and is available for purchase by educational institutions at www.gordie.org.

The Gordie Foundation mission is to provide our young people with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, binge drinking, peer pressure and hazing. For more information, visit www.gordie.org.

Source: The Gordie Foundation

CONTACT: Jessica Young, +1-214-890-7912, or Bill Pemberton,
+1-214-729-5718, both of Forte PR, for The Gordie Foundation

Web Site: http://www.snagfilms.com/
http://www.gordie.org/

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