Kleinbard’s Matt Haverstick quoted in Law360 article – Penn State Frat Board Sued For Alcohol-Related Death.
Kleinbard’s litigation team, Matt Haverstick, Mark Seiberling, and Ed Butkovitz, represents Don Abbey, a major benefactor of the now-shuttered Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the Fraternity of Beta Theta Pi at The Pennsylvania State University. In 2017, Penn State student Timothy Piazza tragically died from injuries sustained while pledging Beta. Surveillance footage of the event revealed the involvement of alcohol-related hazing. The incident sparked a national debate about the Greek life system—both at Penn State and across the country—led to multiple criminal prosecutions, and resulted in Penn State permanently banning the chapter. These events also triggered Alpha Upsilon’s obligation to repay millions of dollars loaned by Abbey. Abbey has filed two suits related to his loan agreement – one in state court for breach of contract, and a derivative action against Alpha Upsilon’s directors in federal court. Trial in one or both cases could occur as soon as this year.