Ohio State University Reaches $100 Million Settlement with Strauss Victims
Ohio State University approved a $100 million settlement with 279 victims of former doctor Richard Strauss, bringing the total payout to $161 million and ending most of an eight-year legal battle.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ohio State University reached a $100 million settlement with 279 victims of former university doctor Richard Strauss, ending much of an eight-year legal battle that has consumed the institution.
The settlement, approved by the university’s Board of Trustees during a June 3 meeting, represents the largest single agreement in the litigation process. University officials said 279 of 280 victims agreed to the terms, leaving only one case unresolved.
“The survivors of the Strauss abuse are all Buckeyes, will always be a part of our family and our community, and I continue to believe that,” said Ohio State President Ravi Bellamkonda. “We continue to be very grateful to them for their courage in coming forward, and reaching a final resolution is very important to us and is an important step forward.”
Years of Legal Battles
The latest agreement follows six previous settlements with more than 300 former athletes totaling $61 million. Combined, Ohio State has now committed $161 million to resolve claims related to Strauss’s abuse spanning nearly two decades.
The university has been fighting lawsuits in federal court since 2018. The Board of Trustees resolution allows the Ohio Attorney General and the university’s general counsel to finalize settlements with the remaining plaintiffs.
Pattern of Abuse Spanning Decades
According to an independent investigation commissioned by the university, Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male victims between 1979 and 1996. The abuse occurred during his tenure as a physician for Ohio State’s Athletics Department and at the university’s Student Health Center.
Strauss retired from Ohio State in 1998 and died by suicide in 2005 at age 67. The scope of his abuse remained hidden for years until victims began coming forward publicly.
Moving Forward
The settlement represents a significant step toward closure for both the university and survivors who have sought accountability for decades. University officials emphasized their commitment to supporting victims while implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
With nearly all cases now resolved, Ohio State can begin focusing on rebuilding trust within its community and ensuring robust safeguards protect current and future students from abuse.
