Dr. Richard Strauss/The Ohio State University Claims for Alleged Sexual Abuse
March 2020
Scott Elliot Smith joined other legal advocates for 83 individuals abused by Dr. Richard Strauss in expressing dismay that the Ohio State University announced a settlement with some survivors involved in separate litigation without offering any details about what is contained in the university’s settlement offer.
The legal team representing survivors of abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss in the Snyder-Hill and Khalil cases against Ohio State was excluded from the settlement negotiations that Ohio State claims have resulted in a settlement with some survivors today.
The Snyder-Hill and Khalil team is extremely concerned that this is not a full and fair settlement for survivors. It is imperative that Ohio State release details of any settlement immediately, so that all survivors can judge the settlement for themselves.
You can read the entire statement from Smith and the legal team representing 83 survivors on OSU's settlement announcement here.
Ohio State agrees to settle 11 lawsuits filed by Strauss sex abuse survivors (NBC News)
Ohio State settles 11 of 18 lawsuits brought by Strauss survivors (ABC6)
OSU Reaches Settlement With Some Sex Abuse Accusers (Law360)
Independent Report on Strauss Abuse at OSU Finds University Knew of Abuse for Decades
Investigators from Perkins Coie, the law firm hired by The Ohio State University’s Special Counsel to investigate widespread reports of sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, write in a report released on the afternoon of Friday, May 17, that “Despite the persistence, seriousness, and regularity of [] complaints” of sexual abuse from students since 1979, “no meaningful action was taken by the University to investigate the concerns until January 1996.” Even then, officials at the highest levels of the University kept Strauss as a tenured faculty member until 1998, gave him an emeritus appointment in 1998, did not inform any students that Strauss was a sexual predator, and permitted Strauss to run ads in the University newspaper about his off-campus private men’s clinic for OSU students and others.
In 1996, OSU investigated student complaints against Strauss. Although that investigation led to Strauss being removed from both Student Health and Athletics, his status as a tenured professor at OSU remained intact until his death in 2005 and allowed him to continue abusing OSU students off campus.
The independent investigation by Perkins Coie confirms that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 student-patients in his 20 years at OSU. The investigation also found that “more than 50 individuals who were members of the OSU Athletics Department staff during Strauss’ time at the University corroborated these student accounts.”
Steve Snyder-Hill, a named plaintiff in the mass action against OSU brought by 39 former Ohio State students alleging abuse by Strauss, had this response: “Today’s report on Ohio State’s actions is infuriating and re-traumatizing for me. It will take much more than an apology for the University to atone for its harm to me and so many other young men abused by Dr. Strauss and ignored by Ohio State. The University must ensure that no one like Strauss will ever be protected in this way again when they harm members of the Ohio State community.”
“As we suspected from the outset, OSU knew but intentionally failed to act upon the many cries for help by the hundreds of OSU male students who suffered sexual abuse by Dr Strauss,” said Scott E. Smith. “The systemic sexual abuse, although preventable, was horrifically nurtured by OSU when they chose not to act, turning a blind eye to those they had a duty to protect.”
“Ohio State abandoned and betrayed hundreds and likely thousands of its students over decades,” said Ilann M. Maazel, co-counsel for the mass plaintiffs in the Snyder-Hill case. “OSU’s conduct is appalling, indefensible, unforgivable.”
“The University’s apology to the survivors of Strauss’ abuse would have been hollow even 20 years ago. Today, it is shockingly ineffective,” said Adele P. Kimmel, also co-counsel. “The survivors need action, not mere words. The University needs to offer a concrete plan, both to make amends to all the students harmed by its facilitation of Strauss’s decades of abuse and to ensure that the University never lets something like this happen again.”
The plaintiffs in this case are represented by Ilann M. Maazel and Debra Greenberger of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLC, Scott E. Smith and Brian Noethlich of Scott Elliot Smith LPA, and Adele Kimmel of Public Justice. More on the case is available here.
A redacted version of the Perkins Coie report is available here.
As a doctor at the University's health centers, Dr. Strauss regularly saw student athletes from approximately 14 varsity sports teams as well as other patients. Reports indicate that numerous male athletes and students were allegedly sexually abused, inappropriately touched, fondled or otherwise subject to Dr. Strauss' actions or comments during medical exams and procedures. Other 
reports indicate that additional University employee made inappropriate physical contact with athletes and students as well.
Dr. Strauss reportedly died by suicide in 2005, but claims have surfaced that infer the university knew of and may bear responsibility for his alleged wrongdoing during his tenure. At the time, many students were unsure of how to respond to the inappropriate conduct and comments or were afraid to come forward. However, some student athletes claim to have reported Dr. Strauss's behavior to coaches and administrators at OSU. An investigation is underway to determine if the conduct was met with institutional indifference and what action, if any, was taken by the University to protect the student athletes.
Our law firm, along with Ilann M. Maazel and Debbie Greenberger of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP of New York City, and Public Justice from Washington DC, is representing many former OSU student athletes who seek answers from OSU, changes in OSU's system of oversight to ensure this conduct is not repeated, and compensation for the harm caused. We understand the need for discretion and confidentiality in handling these highly sensitive and emotional matters, and we are protecting our clients' identities from public disclosure.
If you have been affected by the alleged abuse at Ohio State, please call us at 614-846-1700 to speak with attorney Scott Elliot Smith, or fill out the contact form on this page. Your initial consultation is free and all communication with our firm is strictly confidential.
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