GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida placed the Zeta Beta Tau chapter on interim suspension during an investigation into claims several members spat at disabled veterans and urinated on American flags while attending a formal event in Panama City Beach.
UF said the chapter is charged with causing physical or other harm, obscene behavior, public intoxication, theft and damage to property.
The school said an interim suspension means the organization is suspended from all activities.
UF said it is carrying out a full investigation.
Retired Col. Perry Clawson sat outside of the Zeta Beta Tau house Friday holding an American flag to send a message.
"Spitting on a veteran and a service dog, urinating on our national colors, that kind of behavior can't be tolerated," Clawson said.
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Members of the nonprofit group Wounded Warrior Beach Retreat said several ZBT members displayed the obscene behavior following a formal event for the fraternity.
"Actually spit on me and my service dog as well," veteran Nicholas Connole said. "That's just so disrespectful."
"They were urinating on the American flag they were throwing things off of the balconies," Linda Cope, founder of the Warrior Beach Retreat said.
Action News questioned several people leaving the ZBT house Friday, but everyone declined to comment.
The International organization for ZBT said the fraternity expelled three members and said they have hired an independent investigator.
"We have reached out to start a dialogue with the Warrior Beach Retreat and to offer whatever assistance we can to rectify this awful situation," executive director of ZBT International Laurence Bolotin said.
"It just breaks my heart," Clawson said.
Fraternity members from Emory University were also at the resort. School officials said there's no evidence to implicate their students in the incident.
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