Thursday January 29th, 2026
THE LANTERN
Issue 16, Year 145.
The independent student voice of Ohio State University since 1881.
Wexner’s legal team moves to quash subpoena in Strauss sex abuse lawsuit
Davis Beatty Managing Campus Editor
L
es Wexner’s attorneys filed a motion to quash the latest attempt to subpoena and depose Wexner in a class-action lawsuit against Ohio State over its handling of Dr. Richard Strauss’ sexual abuse. Filed on Tuesday, the legal team argued in the motion to the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Ohio that there is no evidence of Wexner having relevant knowledge of Strauss or his victims. The attorneys also said Wexner is being targeted over other Board of Trustees members because Wexner’s public figure status would gain media attention. “Everyone agrees on one thing: there is no Les Wexner, who is being subpoenaed in a lawsuit by the survivors of Dr. Richard Strauss. evidence of any kind whatsoever to suggest the argument that the subpoenas are at Ohio State, during which Strauss that Mr. Wexner has merely to seek publicity. sexually abused at least 177 students, any relevant knowledge regarding Dr. “This is not a PR stunt as the filing mostly male athletes, while he was a Richard Strauss or his victims,” the would make people believe,” Snyphysician at the university. motion states. der-Hill said. Strauss retired in 1998 and died by Steve Snyder-Hill, a lead plaintiff Wexner is the founder of L Brands suicide in 2005. in the lawsuit, said in an email he and chairman of the Wexner Medical The plaintiffs in the case, who are thinks it is reasonable to ask Wexner suing Ohio State over its handling of questions about any Board of Trustees Center Board. According to the docStrauss’ abuse, argue Wexner may involvement with Strauss while he was ument, he was on Ohio State’s Board have known about Strauss. working at Ohio State. He also refuted of Trustees during Strauss’ tenure
Those representing the survivors of Strauss have attempted to serve a subpoena to Wexner four times. Earlier this month, a judge allowed them to attempt an alternative way to serve that subpoena, per prior Lantern reporting. So far, the plaintiffs have attempted to depose Wexner at his New Albany home, at an Ohio State’s Board of Trustees meeting and through one of his attorneys, Matthew Ziegler, per prior Lantern reporting. In the alternative Judge Michael Watson granted, the plaintiffs could leave a copy of the subPHOTO VIA TNS poena with Wexner’s personal security personnel, mail it to his home or email a copy to Wexner’s attorney.
LES WEXNER continues on page 2.