The investigative team looking into sexual abuse allegations made against Dr. Richard Strauss has now interviewed more than 200 former students and staff with information about Strauss’ time at Ohio State University, an update from the university said Friday.
Richard Strauss, a former wrestling team physician and an assistant professor of medicine, is being investigated by Ohio State on allegations of sexual misconduct. Credit: Lantern file photo
Included in the people interviewed by Perkins Coie — the independent investigators hired in May by the university — are more than 100 former students believed to have been abused by Strauss while he was employed at Ohio State, the update said. The investigators expect to speak with more than 100 additional former students.
The release also said the investigators are looking into “whether, and to what extent” Strauss abused high school students while he was employed by the university.
“We are very grateful to everyone who has contacted the independent investigators,” University President Michael Drake said in an accompanying statement. “We know that this takes great courage. Thank you. We will continue to provide you with information as it becomes available.”
Strauss, who died in 2005, was a former team physician who allegedly abused male varsity athletes from 14 different sports and other students who sought medical help with Student Medical Services at the university from 1979 up until 1997.
It also was learned in June that Strauss ran a private corporation, where alleged acts of sexual abuse took place. According to business filing documents obtained from the Ohio Secretary of State, Strauss’ corporation was established on Aug. 19, 1996, and remained open until Aug. 27, 1998.
Ohio State has urged anyone with information pertaining to the investigation to contact investigators at [email protected].
