Ithaca, NY (WBNG Binghamton) A former Cornell University Fraternity must pay more than $10,000 for the hazing death of a pledge in 2011.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is sentenced to pay $12,000 in total for three convictions including unlawfully dealing with a child conviction, criminal nuisance and hazing. It's the maximum on all convictions.
It's in relation to the February 2011 alcohol-related death of 19-year-old George Desdunes. A custodian found the pledge dead on a couch in the frat house. His blood alcohol level was point-35.
Prosecutors argued Desdunes' death was a result of a mock kidnapping.
Desdunes' mother spoke at Wednesday's sentencing - asking the judge to impose the maximum fine to send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.
Representatives of SAE did not appear at the sentencing.
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