COLUMBUS — Ohio State University is investigating sexual misconduct allegations against a former wrestling team trainer.
The university said Thursday a person recently came forward to accuse Dr. Richard Strauss, who died in 2005, of sexual misconduct while he was with the team from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s. The person said there were multiple victims over a period of time.
The university says the allegations include acts of sexual misconduct with student-athletes and other instances of sexual misconduct.
The Associated Press could not locate any relatives of Strauss who could be asked to comment on the allegations.
The Ohio attorney general has committed the resources of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist law enforcement and, at the university’s request, has appointed the law firm of Bricker and Eckler to act as independent investigator.
The investigators are expected to contact former athletes, coaches and others who may have been affected or may have had knowledge of the incidents, though the task is challenging because the exact dates of Strauss’ service are not precisely known, according to a statement from the university.
Anyone who has experienced any form of sexual misconduct is encouraged to report to the Office of University Compliance and Integrity, the university’s anonymous reporting service Ethicspoint or law enforcement.