Outgoing Cache County Attorney George Daines put Utah State University students on notice in the most blunt terms possible: "The 'sum of all your fears and then some' is the new reality."

In a harshly worded memo to USU's social clubs, fraternities and sororities, Daines confirmed rumors swirling around campus about undercover cops and surveillance at parties in the aftermath of a student's death from alcohol poisoning in a fraternity pledge hazing.

"All of the things you think might be happening are indeed happening, will continue to happen, and there may even be a few efforts you haven't thought of," he wrote in a memo dated Jan. 6 and obtained Friday by the Deseret News.

Daines referenced informants, addicts getting deals to rat out others and some people wearing a wire.

"Be assured that the local police are creative and have many friends," he wrote.

Daines, who resigned Wednesday, could not be reached for comment. The Cache County Attorney's Office is closed on Friday and no one would comment, said an office assistant. Utah State University confirmed the memo.

"It's pretty blunt," said USU spokesman John Devilbiss. "I've never seen a memo like that before."

The memo was written after Daines charged a dozen university students with misdemeanor counts of supplying alcohol to a minor, obstruction of justice and hazing. USU's chapters of Chi Omega and Sigma Nu were also charged with felony hazing.

Michael Starks, 18, a freshman at USU, died Nov. 21 during a fraternity initiation ceremony. Court documents said he drank enough vodka to put his blood-alcohol level at more than four times Utah's legal driving limit.

In his memo, Daines said USU's clubs would "be well advised to respond by making absolutely sure that your organization is not participating in any inappropriate conduct or condoning the same in any manner."

Devilbiss said the memo was obviously meant to make a strong point.

"We applaud his efforts to join us in this wake-up call, is what it amounts to, for students," he said.

In response to Starks' death and the criminal charges, USU has announced a task force to review its student organizations. That group will meet next week, Devilbiss said.

Both Sigma Nu and Chi Omega's national organizations are conducting their own investigations and their chapters have been suspended from USU.

"If some of your members cannot control their risky behaviors you may wish, for the sake of your organization, to separate such persons from your organization," Daines concluded his memo. "The tragic Michael Starks death is more than enough for this community. I do hope you will find this memorandum threatening."

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com