Ohio State University approves $100 million settlement in former athlete sex abuse case Clio

Ohio State University agreed Wednesday to pay about $100 million to settle legal claims from hundreds of former student-athletes who claimed they were Sexually abused decades ago By a doctor from the university.

The school has been in federal court since 2018 with former student-athletes suing over the university’s failure to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Strauss worked at the school from 1978 to 1998 and also ran an off-campus clinic. He died in 2005.

At a meeting Wednesday, the school board approved a preliminary agreement that leaves all but one of the 280 survivors with claims pending in litigation. Once finalized, the settlement could mark the end of a lengthy legal battle and close a painful chapter in the school’s history.

“The survivors of the Strauss abuse case are Buckeye students and they will always be a part of our family and our community, I firmly believe that,” Ravi Bellamkonda, the school’s president, said at the meeting. “We remain extremely grateful for their courage in coming forward and reaching a final resolution is very important for us and an important step forward.”

Years ago, an independent report concluded that dozens of Ohio State staff were aware of complaints about Strauss’ conduct as early as 1979 but failed to investigate or take meaningful action for years.

In a joint statement Wednesday, the university and the plaintiffs thanked the mediator and said they were working to finalize the details of the settlement.

Ohio State University said it has reached settlements with 317 survivors for more than $61 million. Many former student-athletes have signed sealed agreements keeping their names confidential. A number of former NFL players are among the victims, according to attorneys involved in one of the lawsuits.

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