By KANTELE FRANKO Associated Press, and staff
COLUMBUS — Ohio State reached an unspecified settlement with nearly half of the roughly 350 men who say they were sexually abused decades ago by a team doctor who was jokingly known among some athletes by nicknames like “Dr. Jelly Paws.”
.@OhioState announces settlement of 11 of 18 lawsuits brought by survivors of deceased sex abuser Richard Strauss. https://t.co/qFqL9ep9Ot
— Ohio State News (@OhioStateNews) March 6, 2020
The deal announced Friday with few details is the first settlement for accusers of the late doctor, Richard Strauss, and includes more than half of the lawsuits stemming from the scandal.
“We are pleased that Ohio State stepped forward and did the right thing. This settlement will help our clients move forward with the healing process,” said attorney Rick Schulte, lawyer for some of the men.
“The bravery of our clients is humbling,” he said.
In a statement, university president Michael Drake called it a step of “restorative justice:
“Strauss’ conduct was reprehensible, and the university’s failures at the time are completely unacceptable. While nothing can undo what happened here years ago, today’s university has a responsibility to support our former students and alumni, and this initial settlement is another important step in the process of restorative justice. Our focus has always been and remains on the survivors. They have our sincere appreciation for coming forward. We know that this takes great courage. Without them, the truth would have remained unknown.” -OSU Pres. Dr. Michael Drake
Scores of additional Strauss accusers still have pending lawsuits.
They say mediation has been unsuccessful, and they’ve asked a judge to let them resume litigation.
Strauss died in 2005.
The university says it will use funds from existing institutional discretionary funding for settlements with the individual survivors and will not draw on money from taxpayers, tuition or donors.
A year-long investigation into allegations of Strauss’ abuse, launched by the university in April 2018 after one survivor came forward, found evidence of acts of sexual abuse against at least 177 former students.
The 180-page report issued after the investigation concluded that university personnel at the time failed to adequately respond to or prevent the abuse.
More than 350 former students have joined in 18 lawsuits against the university related to allegations against Strauss.