Overview

• Filed Sept. 23 in federal court, the suit names the University of Southern Mississippi, Omega Psi Phi and multiple other individuals and organizations as defendants.
• The complaint says hazing began in December 2022 during pledging with the Nu Eta chapter and escalated during an April 2023 'Hell Night' ritual involving repeated beatings with a 2-by-4 paddle, sleep deprivation and theft of pledge funds.
• Plaintiff Rafeal Joseph alleges he required two emergency-room visits, surgery with a blood transfusion and nearly 11 days of hospitalization, after which he had to relearn how to walk.
• The lawsuit claims USM leadership knew about the abuse and failed to act, and it says Joseph suffered severe emotional distress and ultimately left the university.
• Omega Psi Phi declined to comment on the litigation, and USM was not immediately available for comment as reporters sought responses.