Ohio State University Grappling With Sexual Abuse Allegations and Inappropriate Use of Public Funds

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Ohio State University is facing renewed scrutiny over longstanding sexual abuse allegations involving a former team doctor and a new report finding its president misused his position in ways that risked the inappropriate use of public funds.

The latest development in the abuse scandal came this month, when more than a dozen former NFL players joined a federal lawsuit alleging they were sexually abused by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former campus physician who treated athletes from 1978 to 1998.

The new plaintiffs are among about 30 former Ohio State football players who say Strauss assaulted them during required physical exams, adding to hundreds of similar claims already before the courts. The suits accuse the university of failing for years to protect students from Strauss despite complaints and warning signs, according to The Guardian.

Ohio State has been fighting Strauss-related lawsuits in federal court since 2018 and has already reached a series of settlements with survivors. As of mid-April, the university reported settlements with 317 survivors totaling more than $61 million, in addition to earlier agreements that helped push total payouts above $46 million in prior years.

A 2019 independent investigation commissioned by Ohio State concluded that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male students and athletes and found that coaches and administrators knew of concerns for decades but did not act.

Even as the university responds to the abuse cases, it is contending with a separate controversy involving its leadership and the potential misuse of public resources.

A recent investigative report concluded that Ohio State President Ted Carter Jr. misused his position by repeatedly seeking resources and assistance from the university and its partners for Krisanthe Vlachos, a podcast host and close personal associate.

The report says Carter asked internal officials and outside corporate, government, and nonprofit partners over nearly two years to support Vlachos' business ventures, creating conflicts with existing university priorities, WOSU reported.

Investigators found Carter's actions violated internal policies on outside activities, conflicts of interest, fiscal stewardship, and expenditures, and said he should have recognized that his efforts risked misuse or misappropriation of public funds.

The report states there was sufficient evidence that, had Vlachos' projects succeeded, public money could have been diverted improperly, though it does not detail specific amounts spent.

Ohio State has not publicly announced disciplinary measures against Carter in connection with the findings, but the report adds another layer of scrutiny to a university already under pressure to address past failures and restore trust among students, alumni, and the public, as per NBC News.