Former UW student raped by fraternity member sues university, claims it knew of his prior misconduct

A former University of Washington (UW) student is suing the school, claiming it knew about her attacker’s misconduct before he raped her in 2022.

Attorneys with Seattle law firm Hagens Berman filed the lawsuit on behalf of the survivor, identified as A.P., in King County Superior Court in 2025, according to a Tuesday news release from the firm.

Attacker had restraining order before attending UW

According to the complaint, the attacker, Wyatt Ohara, had a restraining order filed against him for sexual misconduct before he was admitted to UW. The woman who filed the restraining order, listed as Jane Doe 2, also applied to UW and was admitted. Both were members of the Greek system, but under the terms of the restraining order, Ohara was to refrain from attending the same parties as Jane Doe 2.

The complaint claimed Pi Kappa Phi knew of Ohara’s inappropriate sexual behavior and restraining order, but allowed him to attend events with other women present.

UW freshman raped after Pi Kappa parties; attacker later pleaded guilty

In November 2022, A.P. was a freshman at UW and a member of the Greek system. According to the complaint, she went to a brunch at Pi Kappa and was served alcohol. She then attended a tailgate party at the Pi Kappa live-out, where she met Ohara.

“During the tailgate, A.P. found herself on a balcony with Pi Kappa fraternity member, Wyatt Ohara,” the complaint stated. “During this encounter, Mr. Ohara provided A.P. with excessive amounts of alcohol. Prior to drinking on the balcony with Mr. Ohara, A.P. did not appear intoxicated. However, after drinking on the balcony with Mr. Ohara, A.P. was intoxicated to the point where she could not stand on her own nor verbally complete full sentences.”

Ohara then took A.P. back to his room at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house and raped her, according to the complaint. The next day, A.P. asked Ohara what happened, and he admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with her. In November 2024, Ohara pleaded guilty to rape in the third degree.

UW says restraining order had expired, attacker withdrawn from school

The complaint claims UW took no measures to monitor or restrict Ohara and protect fellow students.

UW spokesperson Victor Balta told MyNorthwest in a statement that the “temporary civil restraining order” was issued before either student was enrolled at the university and was no longer in effect by the time they began school.

“The University was not aware of any active court-approved restraining or protective orders in effect against the respondent student when he was admitted or when he enrolled,” Balta stated.

Balta noted that, in this case, UW launched an investigation and student disciplinary proceeding.

“The respondent student was permanently withdrawn from the University and can never re-enroll,” Balta stated. “Police also investigated. The individual was prosecuted and served jail time.”

Balta added that UW is “committed to preventing sexual assault and responding when it occurs in a trauma-informed, compassion-forward manner that is guided by both our values and compliance requirements, and we continually evaluate opportunities to strengthen our prevention, support and response efforts.”

Pi Kappa Phi says it removed Ohara before he was initiated

The national Pi Kappa Phi organization told KIRO 7 that Ohara wasn’t initiated into the fraternity and that it “unequivocally condemns sexual assault.”

“This matter involved one individual who was an associate [not initiated] member,” a fraternity spokesperson said in a statement to KIRO 7. “Upon learning of the allegation, the chapter immediately terminated the individual’s associate membership and removed him from the chapter facility. He was never initiated into the fraternity.”

Plaintiff seeks damages, jury trial

A.P. is seeking damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, pain and suffering, psychological treatment expenses and other harms, along with attorney and expert fees, court costs and prejudgment interest. The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount and requests a jury trial.

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