SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Five Theta Tau brothers have anonymously filed a lawsuit against Syracuse University after offensive videos surfaced of a fraternity event.

The men accuse SU of "branding them as racist, anti-sematic [sic], sexist and hostile to people with disabilities," in the aftermath of the videos, according to the complaint filed in federal court.

The brothers say they were suspended from school, barred from classes and maligned "to salvage Syracuse University's reputation" at their expense. They said they were subjected to "ridicule and scorn."

They accuse SU of ignoring their rights and proper procedures as part of a hasty investigation and disciplinary process.

"All that [SU officials] have done is overract, speed to judgment and portray the students as 'criminals,'" the men said in their complaint.

The university filed disciplinary charges against 18 students after the videos surfaced last week. SU previously said it removed students from classes during judiciary proceedings "out of an abundance of caution and concern."

The students, four of them freshmen, claim this was unfair punishment imposed in the "crucial final weeks of the semester, threatening their academic success and survival."

"We are being forced through a shortened disciplinary process without the benefit of knowing the evidence the University has against us or a University representative to advise us," one of the students wrote in an affidavit.

Videos published by The Daily Orange student newspaper show Theta Tau brothers miming the sexual assault of a person with disabilities and performing a "parody" oath: "I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart for n*ggers, sp*cs and most importantly the f*ckin' k*kes."

A university spokeswoman said in a statement SU does not comment specifically on pending litigation.

"The University stands by the actions it took to protect the well-being of the campus community and maintain a respectful and safe learning environment," said Sarah Scalese, associate vice president for communications.

In their lawsuit, the brothers say the recordings depict a March 30 "roast" that was never supposed to be viewed by the public.

"The Roast is a time-honored Chapter tradition that builds unity by satirically and hyperbolically depicting brothers," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit chastises SU officials for immediately condemning the videos and the students in them, "instead of contextualizing the recording as satirical."

According to the lawsuit, the videos were posted in a private Theta Tau Facebook group for about two weeks before an unknown person accessed them and disseminated them "without authorization" to the university and the student newspaper.

The lawsuit was filed by the Syracuse law firm Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet on behalf of five "John Does."

According to the complaint, three of the brothers who sued are "ethnically diverse." One is African-American, one is Indian American, and one is a citizen of a Central American country. One of the brothers pictured in the video is Jewish, the complaint notes.

The brothers say Theta Tau prides itself in its diverse membership. According to the lawsuit, 28 of 48 members of the fraternity were "diverse."

The lawsuit demands that SU halt disciplinary proceedings against the brothers and reinstate the brothers in classes. It also asks for $1 million per student in monetary damages.

Does v. Syracuse University - Theta Tau lawsuit by Julie McMahon on Scribd

Read our continuing coverage of Theta Tau's expulsion

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992