Ohio State University Settles $100 Million Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Ohio State University has reached a $100 million settlement to compensate 279 former students who allege they were sexually assaulted by a campus physician decades ago. This agreement provides a resolution to claims that have surfaced amidst ongoing federal lawsuits against the university.
In a recent statement, attorneys for both the university and one of the accusers confirmed that only one former student has yet to sign the settlement agreement. The identity of this holdout remains undisclosed, as details of the settlement continue to be finalized.
This announcement marks a considerable milestone in resolving an eight-year legal battle in the Southern District of Ohio, revolving around accusations against Dr. Richard Strauss. Survivors contend that Strauss was aware of his predatory actions, particularly towards student-athletes, yet he faced no repercussions at the time.
In the upcoming weeks, a special court-appointed judge is expected to confer with each claimant to assess the extent of their suffering and determine the individual settlement amounts owed to them.
Ravi Bellamkonda, the president of OSU, expressed gratitude for the survivors’ courage during a recent Board of Trustees meeting where the settlement was announced. He emphasized the importance of achieving a resolution and recognizing the impact on all affected parties.
Before this agreement, Ohio State had settled claims related to Strauss’s misconduct with 317 other victims, for a total exceeding $61 million. Both the university and its former president publicly apologized to all who suffered abuse under Strauss, who took his own life in 2005.
The legal struggles for OSU began in 2018 when Mike DiSabato, a former wrestler and whistleblower, brought forth allegations of Strauss’s sexual abuse, claiming that numerous male athletes were victimized during routine physical examinations.
OSU initiated an independent investigation, led by the law firm Perkins Coie, which confirmed in May 2019 that Strauss had abused at least 177 male athletes and students from the mid-1970s until the late 1990s. The findings suggested that various coaches and administrators were aware of the abuse for nearly two decades yet failed to act.
Jim Jordan, a notable Republican congressman and former assistant wrestling coach at OSU, has faced scrutiny as allegations arose that he neglected to intervene during Strauss’s tenure. Despite ongoing denials of having any knowledge of the abuse, recent testimonies have suggested otherwise, with former OSU athletic director Andy Geiger stating under oath that Jordan “probably knew” about the incidents.
Jordan’s involvement has led to his dismissal from the newly settled lawsuit, although his testimony concerning the case remains sealed. Efforts to obtain a comment regarding the settlement have been met with silence as of now.
