Ohio State Professor Placed on Leave After Altercation with Filmmaker

The incident occurred after a former university president was interviewed about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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An Ohio State University assistant professor who is part of a center focused on promoting intellectual diversity has been placed on administrative leave after physically intervening when a documentarian tried to ask additional questions of a former university president following an interview.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions around academic freedom, free speech, and political ideology on college campuses, as well as the university's response to scrutiny over its ties to wealthy donors like Jeffrey Epstein.

The details

The altercation occurred when filmmaker Mike Newman tried to ask former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee additional questions after another journalist had interviewed him. Assistant professor Luke M. Perez, who is part of the university's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, physically intervened, telling Newman the interview was over. Video shows Perez then wrestling Newman to the ground.

  • The incident occurred on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Perez was placed on administrative leave the day after the episode, on February 11, 2026.

The players

Luke M. Perez

An assistant professor who is part of Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, which was created by state legislators to promote intellectual diversity on campus.

E. Gordon Gee

A former president of Ohio State University who was being interviewed about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein when the altercation occurred.

Mike Newman

A documentarian who was trying to ask Gee additional questions after another journalist had interviewed him.

Ben Johnson

A spokesman for Ohio State University.

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What they’re saying

“We are aware of the incident, and it is very concerning.”

— Ben Johnson, Ohio State University spokesman (nytimes.com)

“In the moment afterward, I was full of adrenaline, so I didn't feel much. My jaw was hurting. My neck was a little sore. But after the adrenaline wore off, it felt like I got in a car accident.”

— Mike Newman (NBC affiliate in Columbus, Ohio)

What’s next

The campus police are investigating the incident, and it is unclear if any charges will be filed against Perez.

The takeaway

This episode underscores the ongoing tensions around academic freedom, free speech, and political ideology on college campuses, as well as the scrutiny universities face over their ties to wealthy donors like Jeffrey Epstein.