COLUMBUS — Ohio State will pay about $41 million to settle a dozen lawsuits by 162 men alleging decades-old sexual abuse and mistreatment by a team doctor, Richard Strauss.
An independent investigation launched by the university following a complaint lodged in 2018 determined last year that Strauss abused students during his time at Ohio State from 1978 to 1998 and the university administration failed to appropriately respond at the time.
“The university of decades ago failed these individuals, our students, alumni and members of the Buckeye community. Nothing can undo the wrongs of the past, but we must do what we can today to work toward restorative justice,” said university president Michael Drake.
Individual payments will vary.
The school previously announced a settlement had been reached with about half of the roughly 350 accusers who sued, but details on the cost weren’t made public until Friday.
Scores more men still have pending lawsuits over school officials’ failure to stop Strauss despite concerns raised during his tenure.
The doctor died in 2005.
No one has publicly defended him since the allegations arose two years ago.