“Surviving Ohio State,” the George Clooney-produced documentary about the Richard Strauss scandal at Ohio State University, airs at 9 p.m. June 17 on HBO.
It will also be available at that time via MAX, the company’s streaming service that is set to be renamed HBO MAX this summer.
The trailer for the documentary was released June 5, and film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 9.
Who directed, produced ‘Surviving Ohio State’ documentary?
The documentary, which was announced in 2022, features the sexual abuse scandal of Strauss during his 20-year tenure at Ohio State.
HBO partnered with George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures production company and Sports Illustrated Studios/101 Studios to make the documentary.
The film is directed by Academy Award-winner Eva Orner and its runtime is expected to clock in at one hour and 48-minutes.
Who was Richard Strauss?
Strauss worked at Ohio State University from 1978 to 1998 as a physician. He has been accused of abusing hundreds of former Ohio State students and athletes.
The State Medical Board of Ohio first became aware of alleged misconduct by Strauss in 1996.
But after taking initial steps to gather patient records and take action against Strauss’ medical license, the investigation sat inactive for months. It was eventually closed in 2002, with no action ever taken.
The scandal first came to light in 2018 after a new complaint was filed with the university, which hired the law firm Perkins Coie to investigate. Ohio State was not involved in the production of the documentary, spokesman Ben Johnson told The Dispatch.
“[W]e express our deep regret and apologies to all who experienced Strauss’ abuse,” Johnson said via email. “We are forever grateful to the survivors who participated in the independent investigation, which could not have been completed without their strength and courage.”
Where do the legal cases involving Strauss allegations stand?
Ohio State has reached settlement agreements worth more than a combined $60 million with 296 other survivors of Strauss’ abuse, which amounts to more than half of plaintiffs, Johnson said via email. The university has offered settlements to each of the male students who have filed a lawsuit, he said.
Scott Smith, an attorney representing a group of plaintiffs against Ohio State, said a trial regarding some of the remaining claims could take place as early as late 2026.
But, Smith said court proceedings have dragged on and he wouldn’t be surprised if a trial was delayed to allow enough time for discovery and depositions.
“It’s unusual. It was slowed down by the mediation and it was slowed down by the appeals process,” Smith said. “It’s a moving target. We are looking to have a trial in late 2026. In reality it will probably be in 2027.”
If a trial does take place, it could cap years of legal back and forth between Ohio State and survivors of Strauss’ abuse.
The U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 declined to hear Ohio State’s appeal of a Title IX case related to those sexually abused by Strauss. Ohio State had appealed to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to review a divided decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the statute of limitations of sexual abuse claims and the scope of federal education protections under Title IX.
What has Ohio State done for Strauss survivors?
Ohio State has continued to cover the cost of counseling services and medical care for survivors, including reimbursement for past treatment.
“Regarding the remaining litigation, the university is actively engaged in the legal process and we do not comment on pending litigation,” Johnson said.
Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@dispatch.com. Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: ‘Surviving Ohio State’ airs June 17 on HBO: How to watch Richard Strauss documentary
Reporting by Max Filby, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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