Ohio State settling some suits over doc abuse; cost unclear

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State reached an unspecified settlement with nearly half of the roughly 350 men who say they were sexually abused decades ago by a team doctor who was jokingly known among some athletes by nicknames like “Dr. “We are pleased that Ohio State stepped forward and did the right thing.” Schulte and university officials wouldn’t say whether specifics of the settlement had yet been shared with the affected plaintiffs. “Strauss’ conduct was reprehensible, and the university’s failures at the time are completely unacceptable,” Ohio State President Michael Drake said in the Friday statement. “While nothing can undo what happened here years ago, today’s university has a responsibility to support our former students and alumni, and this initial settlement is another important step in the process of restorative justice.” Mike DiSabato, the ex-wrestler whose claims in 2018 helped prompt the university to have a law firm investigate allegations about the doctor, said the settlement isn’t what he hoped but “is a deal that allows us to move forward with closure.” It remains to be seen how the deal might compare with those from other recent sexual misconduct scandals at major universities, including Michigan State’s $500 million settlement for 500-plus female victims of imprisoned sports doctor Larry Nassar. “The other half of us that haven’t settled have experienced significant sexual abuse and significant cover-up by Ohio State, so we feel we should be compensated similar to what Michigan State and Penn State people were,” said Brian Garrett, a lead plaintiff in one of the still-pending cases.