Jury Awards $7.8 Million in Bloomsburg Hazing Death Case

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SUMMARY

Antonio Tsialas, a Cornell University freshman, died in October 2019 after attending a "dirty rush" fraternity event at Phi Kappa Psi, where he was subjected to excessive alcohol consumption. His body was found two days later at the base of Fall Creek gorge. His family filed a lawsuit against Cornell and the fraternity, alleging negligence and hazing. Cornell settled with the family in December 2020, revoking the fraternity's recognition and establishing anti-hazing initiatives. Most recently, in January 2026, a jury awarded Tsialas's estate $7.8 million, likely against the remaining defendants in the lawsuit.

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January 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Jury awards Antonio Tsialas's estate $7.8 million

    A jury awards Antonio Tsialas's estate $7.8 million, likely against the remaining defendants in the lawsuit.

  2. Luzerne County Jury Awards $7.8M in Bloomsburg Hazing Death, Finds Sorority and Fraternity at Fault

    A Luzerne County jury awarded a $7.8 million verdict in the hazing death of Bloomsburg University freshman Justin King, who died in 2019. The jury found the Alpha Sigma Tau national sorority 35% at fault, requiring it to pay $2.73 million to King's estate. The Kappa Sigma fraternity was allocated 35% responsibility, and King himself was found 24% at fault.

December 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Phi Kappa Psi Sues Cornell Over Former Fraternity House Use After Revocation

    The Phi Kappa Psi Association initiates a lawsuit against Cornell University concerning the future use of the former fraternity house, following the university's permanent revocation of recognition.

March 2021 — 1 developments

  1. New York Times Confirms Resolution of Civil Case Against Cornell in Antonio Tsialas Case

    The New York Times reports on the Antonio Tsialas case, confirming that the civil case against Cornell has been resolved.

December 2020 — 1 developments

  1. Tsialas Family Settles with Cornell University, Securing Scholarship and Anti-Hazing Week Renaming

    The Tsialas family reaches a settlement with Cornell University, which includes compensation, disclosure of police investigation files, a perpetual scholarship in Antonio's name, and renaming the annual anti-hazing prevention week in his honor.

September 2020 — 2 developments

  1. Cornell University indefinitely revokes recognition of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity over 'dirty rush' violations

    Cornell University indefinitely revokes recognition of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, banning it from operating on campus due to violations related to the "dirty rush" event.

  2. Tompkins County Judge Allows Negligence Lawsuit Against Cornell to Proceed

    A Tompkins County judge rules that the lawsuit against Cornell can proceed, denying Cornell's motion to dismiss and finding a valid case for negligence and premises liability.

February 2020 — 1 developments

  1. Cornell Police find Phi Kappa Psi violated university and anti-hazing policies

    Cornell University Police find that Phi Kappa Psi engaged in numerous violations of university policies and anti-hazing policies during the fall 2019 semester.

January 2020 — 1 developments

  1. Antonio Tsialas's Family Sues Fraternity, Cornell for Negligence, Hazing

    Antonio Tsialas's family files a lawsuit against the national fraternity, its Cornell chapter, seven members, and Cornell University, alleging negligence and hazing.

November 2019 — 1 developments

  1. Antonio Tsialas's Parents Offer $10,000 Reward for Information on Son's Death

    Antonio Tsialas's parents offer a $10,000 reward for information regarding their son's death.

October 2019 — 1 developments

  1. Antonio Tsialas's body found at Fall Creek gorge; autopsy confirms blunt force trauma, intoxication

    Antonio Tsialas's body is found at the base of Fall Creek gorge, two days after he went missing. An autopsy later confirms blunt force trauma and acute alcohol intoxication.