Ohio State Hit with New Strauss Lawsuit

Ohio State’s troubles with legal challenges stemming from the conduct of a now-deceased doctor continue to mount, as 30 more former Buckeye student-athletes filed suit against the school on Monday.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the plaintiffs — whose names were listed as John Doe — filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ohio. Most are former student-athletes, including about a dozen former football player, according to the Beacon Journal.

Dr. Richard Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005, had worked for the university and had access to student-athletes. According to an investigative report, Strauss sexually abused at least 177 former students over a period spanning nearly two decades, from 1979 to 1997. 

Strauss’ conduct included subjecting students to “excessive and medically unnecessary genital exams or other inappropriate touching during physicals.” Some victims reportedly left their respective teams, or left the university entirely. 

The university has sought to dismiss related lawsuits on the basis that the statute of limitations had expired, and other cases tied to Strauss were referred to mediation by a judge.

Ohio State officials apologized for Strauss’ conduct and offered to pay for counseling services for his victims.