Ohio State Settles for $100 Million With Abuse Survivors
WHO:
CNN - Ohio State University, nearly 300 former students, Richard Strauss, Ravi Bellamkonda (school's president), Steve Snyder-Hill, Ron McDaniel (former student athletes)
WHAT:
[10:57 PM EDT] - CBS News - The university has reached eight additional settlements, bringing the total to 304 survivors and more than $60 million.
[10:57 PM EDT] - CBS News - The settlement was approved by the Board of Trustees with all but one of the 280 survivors involved in pending litigation.
[10:57 PM EDT] - CBS News - Many former student athletes signed sealed agreements that kept their names a secret, and some former NFL players were among the victims.
CNN - Ohio State University reached a $100 million settlement with 279 of the 280 former students who accused Richard Strauss of sexual assault.
CBS News - The settlement is part of legal claims from hundreds of former student athletes alleging sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss.
CBS News - The university has previously settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million.
CBS News - The settlement could mark the end of a lengthy legal battle and close a painful chapter in the school's history.
WHERE:
CNN - Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
WHEN:
CNN - The abuse occurred from 1978 to 1998, the year Strauss retired.
CBS News - The Board of Trustees approved the preliminary agreement on a Wednesday.
WHY:
[10:57 PM EDT] - CBS News - The settlement could mark the end of a lengthy legal battle and close a painful chapter in the school's history.
CNN - The settlement followed years of litigation over accusations of decades of abuse by Richard Strauss.
CBS News - An independent report concluded that Ohio State personnel knew of complaints about Strauss' conduct as early as 1979 but failed to investigate or take meaningful action.
HOW:
[10:57 PM EDT] - CBS News - The university and plaintiffs thanked mediators and stated they were working to finalize the details of the settlements.
CNN - The mediation and its confidentiality are continuing as the parties work to finalize the details of the settlements.
CBS News - The university has fought lawsuits in federal court since 2018 brought by former student athletes against the university.
(UPDATED June 4, 2026 06:37 UTC)
The university has reached eight additional settlements, bringing the total number of survivors to 304 and the financial compensation to over $60 million. The Board of Trustees approved the settlement, which involves all but one of the 280 survivors currently engaged in pending litigation, many of whom are former student athletes with sealed agreements, including some former NFL players. Both the university and the plaintiffs expressed gratitude to the mediators and are now working to finalize the details of these settlements, which could signify the end of a lengthy legal battle and help close a painful chapter in the school's history.
--
(UPDATED June 4, 2026 04:22 UTC)
Ohio State University has reached a $100 million settlement with 279 former students who accused Dr. Richard Strauss of sexual assault, marking a significant step in a lengthy legal battle. This settlement follows previous agreements with 317 survivors totaling more than $61 million and could potentially close a painful chapter in the university's history. An independent report revealed that Ohio State personnel were aware of complaints about Strauss as early as 1979 but failed to take appropriate action, highlighting the long-standing issues surrounding the case.