Ex-U-M Frat Member Gets $5K Fine, Probation in Ski Resort Mayhem

Management at the Treetops Resort said members of a now disbanded University of Michigan fraternity caused more than $400,000 in damages during a ski weekend last winter. (Photos via Flickr and Treetops Resort)

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One of three members of the disgraced University of Michigan Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity charged with causing hundreds of thousands of dollars damage at a northern Michigan ski resort last January was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to reduced charges.

Matthew Vlasic, 22, of Bloomfield Hills, pleaded guilty in Ostego County Circuit Court to damaging a building and causing more than $200 but less than $1,000 damage, a misdemeanor charge, the Detroit Free Press reports. He originally faced a felony charge of malicious destruction.

Two other members of the fraternity, whose U-M charter was yanked after the wild weekend party at the Treetops Resort ski resort near Gaylord, also have been charged in the incident. They are sophomores Joshua Kaplan and Zachary Levin, both 19. Both face misdemeanor charges for allegedly allowing minors in their supervision to drink alcohol.

Treetops management estimated the vandalism cost the resort more than $400,000 in actual damages and staff time to deal with the whole mess and loss of reputation.

More than 120 members of the fraternity stayed at the Gaylord resort Jan. 17-18, leaving behind destroyed ceiling tiles and exit signs, broken furniture and doors, and urine-stained carpeting. Fifty rooms were rented, and 45 of them were damaged, according to reports.

U-M plans to conduct its own investigation after the criminal investigation is complete.

Catch Up on This Story

• Ski Resort to Sue Fraternity Revelers Who Caused $430K in Damage
• Frat Disbanded after $430K Carnage at Ski Resort
• Wild Weekend Frat Party Causes $430K of Damage at Ski Resort: Owner
• U-M Fraternity’s Parent Sues for Control of Bank Account
• Mayhem Frat Blew Its Second Chance