OSU board OKs final $100 million settlement with Strauss survivors

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees voted on June 3 to ratify a $100 million settlement covering 279 of the 280 remaining survivors of sexual abuse by former university doctor Richard Strauss. The resolution, added to the meeting’s consent agenda, was unanimously approved, bringing closure to the university’s legal battles stemming from Strauss’s abuse cases. The settlement follows years of litigation, with Ohio State previously paying over $61 million to 317 survivors since March 2020. In April, the university settled with more than a dozen additional survivors, and the latest agreement is expected to finalize the remaining claims. The mediation process, overseen by Judge Layn Phillips, aimed to achieve a fair resolution while considering litigation risks and costs. The university and plaintiffs issued a joint statement confirming the settlements in principle, thanking mediators for their assistance. However, specific details of the agreements remain confidential, with board Chair John Zeiger emphasizing compliance with court orders and mediator directives. Additional information will be shared once the settlements are finalized. The settlement comes after high-profile survivors, including 30 former Ohio State football players and retired Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ, publicly came forward with abuse allegations. Happ, who was 15 when Strauss first assaulted him, joined others in speaking out about the abuse during their time as student-athletes at Bishop Ready High School. Ohio State President Ravi Bellamkonda expressed gratitude to the survivors for their courage in coming forward, calling them part of the university’s family. The resolution reflects the institution’s commitment to accountability and support for survivors, though the process remains under mediation to finalize individual agreements.