COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Unhappy with Ohio State’s response to allegations of widespread, decades-old sexual abuse by a team doctor, the leader of the Ohio House called Monday for lawmakers to act soon on a stalled proposal to enable the survivors to sue the university under state law.
About 350 men alleging sexual misconduct by the late Richard Strauss have sued the school in federal court. Ohio State initially argued those claims are time-barred by law, but it has since committed to a “monetary resolution” for those who were abused.
There has been no word of a settlement after months of mediation in those cases.
Republican House Speaker Larry Householder said he has asked the chairman of the House Civil Justice Committee to resume hearings and prepare for a vote in the coming weeks on a proposal to create a window for the survivors to instead sue under state law.
“I am disappointed that The Ohio State University has yet to accept responsibility for the obvious harm that was done to students under their watch,” Householder said in a statement.
A response from Ohio State said it is actively pursuing a resolution through mediation and has “led the effort” to investigate Strauss’ abuse and the university’s failure to prevent it.
