Ohio State University to pay $41 million to 162 men who say they were sexually abused by doctor

Ohio State University announced the details of settlement reached with over 160 men who say they were sexually abused by Richard Strauss, a long-time athletic team physician at the school.

The $40.9 million settlement was reached with 162 male survivors. It covers 12 lawsuits related to abuse allegedly perpetrated by Strauss, who was employed by the university from 1978 until 1998. 

An independent investigation launched by the University found in 2019 that the physician abused students and “university administration failed to appropriately respond at the time,” the university said in a Friday statement.

The report found that personnel at the university knew what Strauss was doing as early as 1979. 

“The university of decades ago failed these individuals – our students, alumni and members of the Buckeye community,” said President Michael V. Drake said. “Nothing can undo the wrongs of the past, but we must do what we can today to work toward restorative justice.”

“Our focus will always be on the survivors. We know it took great courage for them to come forward, and we are grateful,” he added.

The amounts that survivors receive from the university will be awarded “based on the harm and damages experienced by each survivor,” the Friday statement explained. 

“Working with Ohio State, we established an independent confidential process to evaluate each claim individually. The process will account for wide variations in abuse and provide a pathway for survivor healing. One hundred percent of 162 survivors in this settlement decided against further litigation and agreed to participate. The participation rate speaks to the quality of this settlement,” Rick Schulte, lead negotiator for the plaintiffs’ firms, said.

About 350 men have sued the school for not stopping Strauss despite concerns released during his tenure at the university, NBC News reported.

The school said that it has agreed to pay up to $500,000 to administer the settlement fund, which will not come from taxpayer, tuition or specific donor funds.

There are still lawsuits continuing against the university.

“Ohio State continues to participate in good faith in the mediation process with the survivors involved in the remaining lawsuits, and remains committed to a resolution with plaintiffs, including a monetary resolution,” the Friday statement said.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has previously denied allegations that he failed to stop Strauss from sexually abusing student-athletes at the university when he served as a wrestling coach there.

Strauss died by suicide in 2005.