Ohio State University Settles $100 Million Lawsuit Over Sexual Abuse Claims

Ohio State University has reached a preliminary agreement to pay approximately $100 million to settle legal claims from hundreds of former student athletes who alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, who worked at the university from 1978 to 1998. This settlement comes after years of lawsuits filed in federal court since 2018 that accused the university of failing to protect its students.

During a meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the settlement involving all but one of the 280 claimants still in pending litigation. Once finalized, this agreement may conclude a longstanding legal dispute and address a painful chapter in the university's history. University President Ravi Bellamkonda remarked on the significance of the resolution, expressing appreciation for the survivors' courage and stating, "The survivors of the Strauss abuse are all Buckeyes, will always be a part of our family and our community."

An independent report previously revealed that numerous Ohio State personnel were aware of complaints regarding Strauss as early as 1979 but instituted no meaningful action for years. In addition to the current settlement, Ohio State had already settled with 317 survivors for over $61 million, with many victims having signed confidentiality agreements. Among the victims, some former NFL players have been identified.

Two accusers, Steve Snyder-Hill and Ron McDaniel, have previously shared their experiences regarding Strauss, with Snyder-Hill recounting a vulnerable moment during a consultation. He noted that after reporting an incident, the director of student health services denied any complaints had been received about Strauss, while McDaniel mentioned that concerns about Strauss's behavior were known within the community.