Protesters bring up Les Wexner’s connection to Epstein at Ohio State meeting
According to WOSU, this undated image shows a man who appears to be Les Wexner, center, with Jeffrey Epstein, left. (Courtesy of U. S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform)
Protesters appeared at Thursday’s Ohio State University Board of Trustees meeting, holding signs alleging Ohio billionaire and university alumnus Les Wexner’s purported connection to Jeffrey Epstein and other sexual abuse cases.
Survivors of Dr. Richard Strauss, a former Ohio State team doctor who sexually assaulted dozens of athletes decades ago, attended the meeting and silently protested in the back of the room. Among the signs the protesters were holding were those that said “Where’s Wexner” and those showing photos of Wexner standing with Epstein, WOSU reported.
The survivors are suing the university in court and have subpoenaed Wexner to be questioned about his knowledge of Strauss’ actions. One of the survivors, Steve Snyder-Hill, Wexner, said Wexner is defying the subpoena.
John Zeiger, Wexner’s close friend, lawyer and the board of trustees’ chairman, was the person whom the survivors wanted to pressure at the board meeting.
“A lot of stuff doesn’t line up,” Snyder-Hill told WOSU. “Zeiger represents Wexner. He sits in there on that board. He’s probably making a lot of the judgment calls on whether to settle, and this guy’s evading a subpoena. How is any of that right?”
Being connected to someone who knew Epstein personally is not the only problem the university faces right now.
Ohio.News previously reported on the president of the Ohio Nurse Association, Rick Lucas, addressing the board on Tuesday by calling for an immediate and transparent investigation of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s response to a Nov. 6 physical altercation between a father and a postpartum nurse. He also mentioned the instances of other nurses being threatened.
While he was testifying, union members were standing nearby with signs showing high workplace violence rates at the Ohio State.
“We are advocating not only for the safety, well-being and fair treatment of the professionals who care for patients across OSU, but also for the patients we serve in the broader community that rely on this institution for high-quality, safe and compassionate care,” Lucas said.
The association called for Chief Administrative Officer Elizabeth Seely, other senior executives, the leaders of Ohio State police, the university’s public safety department and the medical center security, to be held accountable.
Ohio State was also criticized for implementing “race-exclusionary practices,” introducing mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion coursework for all its students and ranking only 12th in merit and free speech.
