Updated story
A day after a fraternity at the University of Chicago came under fire in connection to a "prank" on an African-American mail carrier that has been decried as both racist and homophobic, the organization is defending itself from accusations they orchestrated the stunt.
Bob Biggs, executive vice president of the Phi Delta Theta international fraternity, told the Sun-Times, “The local members are baffled. They don’t know who is doing this.”
“We are obviously disappointed and offended by this apparent prank that has been pulled on our [fraternity] chapter,” added Phi Delta Theta fraternity’s regional liaison Garrett Taliaferro in a separate interview.
Originally, U.S. Postal Carrier Iran Becton told the Sun-Times he "needlessly" dragged more than six dozen postal supply boxes to the chapter's house in the 5600 block of South University Avenue.
“About a week after Memorial Day, I had an order to bring 79 of the boxes," Becton said. "I came to the address and explained to the frat member that I would have a lot more supplies. I went back to the truck for the boxes about six or seven times. After the last trip, one of the frat guys came out and said it was a practical joke. Another guy said that I should read the name backwards and I’ll get the joke.”
According to CBS Chicago, the name on the order was “Reggin Toggaf;” read backwards, the first name is a racial slur and the last name is a slur for gay men.
21-year-old Peter Wilk told Fox when the delivery was made, he told Becton, "We didn't order these boxes. Someone is ordering them for our address but we don't want them here."
Mack Julion, president of a local National Association of Letter Carriers branch, said the fraternity told him the packages were a prank on Phi Delt and that Becton was not an intended target, according to the Sun-Times.
Still, Becton said he felt insulted "humiliated" and wants an apology; the Chicago Division Postal Inspection Services is reportedly investigating both for the impact on Becton and because the prank involved "the abuse and possibly the destruction of postal property," which is a criminal offense.
While Phi Delt maintains its innocence in the controversy, this is not the first time a U of C fraternity has been accused of insensitive and offensive actions.
In 2012, the Delta Upsilon fraternity drew criticism for its depiction of Latinos and a planned "Conquistadors and Aztec Hoes" theme party, according to United Press International. Previously, Duke University's Kappa Sigma fraternity drew fire for an "Asia Prime" party.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story indicated the Alpha Delta Phi organized the "Conquistadors and Aztec Hoes" theme party; the party was via the Delta Upsilon fraternity. HuffPost regrets the error.