Treetops Destruction.

One frat member pleads guilty to a
misdemeanor; two others are charged.

Ronelle Grier

Contributing Writer

M

atthew Vlasic, member of the now-defunct
University of Michigan chapter of Sigma Alpha
Mu (SAM) fraternity, pleaded guilty to a misde-
meanor charge of malicious destruction of a building over
$200 but less than $1,000 for his part in the vandalism that
occurred at Treetops Resort in Gaylord during a rowdy ski
weekend last January.
Vlasic was originally charged with a felony of malicious
destruction of a building more than $1,000 but less than
$20,000, but the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor as
part of an agreement between Vlasic and Otsego County
Prosecutor Michael Rola. The consequences, which will be
determined by a judge at a sentencing hearing scheduled for
Aug. 13 in Otsego County 87-A District Court, could include
up to one year jail time and/or a fine up to $2,000. The plea
agreement also requires Vlasic to make restitution for the
damages in addition to the fine.
Rola said it is Otsego County policy to reduce felony charg-
es of this type to misdemeanors when the defendant has no
prior record and agrees to pay restitution.
"We don't want to destroy people's lives; we just want them

U

held accountable for their actions:'
A trashed room at Treetops Resort after the Jan. 16-18 weekend
Rola said.
Vlasic was charged after being iden-
tified by witnesses at the northern Michigan resort who said
After investigations by the university and the Greek orga-
they saw "an extremely tall man" punching out ceiling tiles as
nizations, the national SAM leaders disbanded the U-M
he walked through the building.
chapter for a minimum of four years. Other university sanc-
Two other former SAM chapter officers who helped
tions included mandatory attendance at educational sessions
organize the trip, Joshua Kaplan, former president, and
on alcohol and drug abuse and bystander intervention, and
Zachary Levin, were charged with misdemeanors for allow-
a two-year disciplinary suspension for SDT members. No
ing minors to drink while under their supervision. They are
criminal charges have been filed against any of the sorority
also scheduled to appear in court Aug. 13 in Otsego County.
members.
Consequences for the two students could include 30 days in
In addition, a civil suit was filed for damages by Treetops
jail and/or $1,000 fine per incident, in addition to restitution
against 20 defendants, including individual members of SAM
for the damages.
and SDT. Attorneys representing the resort, the Greek organi-
The wreckage took place during a Jan. 16-18 ski trip
zations and Treetops' insurance company have been involved
attended by about 270 U-M students from SAM and the
in negotiations to determine the actual cost of the damages
Sigma Delta Tau (SDT) sorority. The damages, which affected after Treetops management added $230,000 (for lost revenue
45 guest rooms and adjacent corridors, included broken ceil-
and reputation as well as attorney and accounting fees) to its
ing tiles, cupboard doors torn from their hinges, stained car-
original estimate of $200,000.
peting, walls that had been punched through and splintered
According to Rola, the criminal investigation is ongoing,
furniture. After Michigan State police were called to escort
and charges could be filed against other students as more
the students out of the building on Sunday morning, resort
information becomes available.
staff found hundreds of beer cans and empty liquor bottles
"I would like to have everyone involved held accountable
scattered throughout the areas the group had occupied.
Rola said.

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