Ex-Ohio State wrestlers sue school, saying officials knew of abuse

Four former Ohio State University wrestlers have filed a class-action federal lawsuit against the Columbus-based school, claiming administrators were aware of alleged sexual abuse by team doctor Richard Strauss and did nothing about it.

The suit, filed Monday in federal district court in Columbus, accuses Ohio State of Title IX and civil rights violations when it failed to prevent repeated sexual assaults, abuse and molestation by Strauss.

The four former Buckeye wrestlers in the case have not been identified. The plaintiffs -- listed only as "John Does" in the lawsuit -- seek punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and other relief as the court deems proper. The suit did not state a specific amount the plaintiffs were seeking.

The lawsuit alleges that wrestlers as well as male athletes in 13 other intercollegiate sports were subject to "excessive and medically unnecessary fondling, touching, and groping" during routine medical examinations conducted by Strauss over the course of more than two decades on staff at Ohio State, according to NBC News.

The Columbus Dispatch reported the complaint alleges that despite being repeatedly informed of Strauss' "sexual assault, abuse, battery, molestation, and/or harassment, OSU failed to take appropriate action (or, in fact, any action whatsoever) to stop or prevent Dr. Strauss from continuing his rampant sexual misconduct."

"Dr. Strauss used his position of trust and confidence to regularly and systematically sexually assault, abuse, batter, molest, and harass male students and student-athletes over the entire course of his career in his capacity as an employee, agent, and/or representative of OSU," according to the Dispatch.

To illustrate the span of complaints concerning Strauss' alleged behavior, the suit states that a student-athlete first complained to the university's student health center in 1978 ... while, in the mid-1990s, two wrestlers reported Strauss to Andy Geiger, Ohio State's athletic director at the time, while another reported the same incident to then head wrestling coach Russ Hellickson.

The Dispatch reported that the lawsuit states Ohio State held a hearing on the allegations against Strauss in 1997, and he was allegedly allowed to "quietly retire," without facing disciplinary action. Strauss died in 2005.

The alleged abuse took place in Larkins Hall, a multi-purpose building on campus which, in addition to housing various varsity and intermural sports, also included a wrestling practice facility as well as locker rooms, shower rooms and a sauna for the Buckeye wrestling program. Larkins Hall has since been torn down.

In early April, Ohio State announced it was investigating allegations of sexual abuse involving Buckeye student-athletes. The school set up a reporting procedure for victims to share their stories. In addition, the Ohio attorney general has launched an investigation. Recent news reports indicate that more than 150 individuals have come forward.