Report: Treetops Resort Ordered Guards To Ignore U-M Frat's Rowdy, Destructive Behavior
ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - A report suggests the University of Michigan fraternity that trashed the Treetops Resort in Gaylord over the winter had caused trouble at the resort before -- and security guards were allegedly ordered to ignore the students' bad behavior.
The Detroit Free Press, citing a state police report, says Sigma Alpha Mu members caused similar mayhem at the ski resort in 2014, and ended up paying Treetops $11,500 for damages and for having too many guests. Still, the resort welcomed the fraternity back because this year because the previous problems weren't seen as "intentional acts."
In January, Treetops management reportedly told security officers to overlook the rowdy behavior, which included frat members mooning children, smashing light fixtures, urinating on carpets and breaking furniture among other things, according to the police report. The guards were instructed not to intervene in damage-causing incidents, the report said, noting: "Damage was not a concern, only the safety of their guests," according to the Free Press.
Paul Dillon, who is representing Treetops, contradicted the police report in an e-mail to the newspaper, saying resort managers "categorically deny ever instructing security personnel to allow the University of Michigan student group to commit acts of vandalism and intentional destruction of property at the resort."
Initially, Treetops estimated damages at $100,000. Managers now estimate $430,000 in costs from the Jan. 17-18 vandalism.
The resort is now suing the fraternity for $430,000 in damages, despite already collecting nearly $200,000 from its insurance company and another $25,000 from the fraternity, according to the report.
Two 19-year-old members of the now-closed Sigma Alpha Mu chapter, president Joshua Kaplan and treasurer Zachary Levin, face misdemeanor charges of letting minors use drugs and alcohol. Another member, Matthew Vlasic, faces a felony charge of malicious property destruction of $1,000 to $20,000.