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Ex-Students Want Ohio State to Answer for Abuse

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Update 12:52 p.m.

Former Ohio State University students who say they were sexually abused by a campus doctor say it’s time for administrators to take responsibility.

Results from a yearlong investigation released Friday say that the doctor sexually abused at least 177 male students and that numerous university personnel at the time knew about complaints.

The late Richard Strauss worked with athletic teams and at a student health center for over two decades before he was fired amid mounting allegations. Many accusers are now suing the university.

Former student Brian Garrett says the report shows Ohio State has admitted to a monumental and fundamental failure to protect its students. He says any settlements should be paid by the university directly.

Ex-student Kent Kilgore says the harm caused by the doctor still carries over today.


COLUMBUS (AP) — A report says a former Ohio State University team doctor accused of sexually abusing more than 150 male students pleaded with university administrators to keep his job near the end of his tenure.

The report released Friday says Dr. Richard Strauss sent letters in 1997 to administrators, including then-university president Gordon Gee as abuse allegations mounted.

He was fired as a doctor for athletic teams and at a student health center. But he was allowed to retire from a faculty position at the university and received emeritus status based on his longstanding service and commitment.

A message seeking comment on the report was left for Gee, who is now president of West Virginia University.

A yearlong investigation says Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male students and that university personnel at the time knew about complaints.