Former Ohio State President Gee to be Deposed in Strauss Abuse Case

Gee was president during university's quiet 1997 investigation into serial abuser Strauss

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:49am

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Former Ohio State University president Gordon Gee will be deposed in a trial regarding what the university knew about the sexual abuse of former OSU physician Richard Strauss. Strauss sexually abused hundreds of male student athletes between 1978 and 1998, and survivors allege Ohio State actively covered up his crimes, including a lack of action by officials like Gee. An independent investigation found Gee was aware of the Strauss investigation and corresponded with him, though Gee claims he does not recall the details.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing fallout from Ohio State's failure to properly address the decades-long abuse by Strauss, and the role of university leadership like Gee in the cover-up. It raises questions about accountability for institutions that enable serial predators to operate with impunity.

The details

Gee was Ohio State's president in 1997 when the university quietly investigated Strauss, who was later able to leave the university with emeritus status and continue practicing in California until his death in 2005. Strauss' abuse was not widely reported until 2018. An independent investigation found Gee was aware of the Strauss investigation and corresponded with him, though Gee claims he does not recall the details.

  • Strauss sexually abused male student athletes between 1978 and 1998.
  • Ohio State quietly investigated Strauss in 1997 while Gee was president.
  • Strauss left Ohio State with emeritus status in 1998 and continued practicing in California until his death in 2005.
  • Strauss' abuse was not widely reported until a former student reported it to OSU in March 2018.
  • The independent investigation into Strauss was commissioned by Ohio State in 2019.

The players

Gordon Gee

Former president of Ohio State University who was in office during the university's quiet 1997 investigation into serial abuser Richard Strauss.

Richard Strauss

Former Ohio State University physician who sexually abused hundreds of male student athletes between 1978 and 1998.

Ohio State University

The university that quietly investigated Strauss in 1997 and is now facing a trial brought by survivors of his abuse, who allege the university covered up his crimes.

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What’s next

Gee must be deposed by April 17 per a court order as part of the trial brought by Strauss survivors against Ohio State.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing reckoning over Ohio State's failure to address Strauss' serial abuse, and the role of university leadership in enabling it. It raises difficult questions about institutional accountability and the need for transparency when such egregious misconduct occurs under an institution's watch.