Key point: Plaintiffs suing Ohio State say efforts to serve a subpoena on Leslie Wexner have been blocked by his security, and they are asking Judge Michael H. Watson to permit alternate service methods. The lawyers argue Wexner may have relevant information because he was a board member during disciplinary actions involving Dr. Richard Strauss and was a major benefactor when the scandal resurfaced. Wexner's attorney disputes that he has discoverable information. The case is part of broader litigation stemming from a 2019 independent report and settlement payments related to Strauss' abuse.
Lawyers Say Security Blocked Attempts to Serve Leslie Wexner Subpoena; Ask Judge to Approve Alternate Service
Key point: Plaintiffs suing Ohio State say efforts to serve a subpoena on Leslie Wexner have been blocked by his security, and they are asking Judge Michael H. Watson to permit alternate service methods. The lawyers argue Wexner may have relevant information because he was a board member during disciplinary actions involving Dr. Richard Strauss and was a major benefactor when the scandal resurfaced. Wexner's attorney disputes that he has discoverable information. The case is part of broader litigation stemming from a 2019 independent report and settlement payments related to Strauss' abuse.
10:38 AM, 11/21/2025Society
Lawyers for a group of former Ohio State University students suing the university over its handling of sexual abuse by team physician Dr. Richard Strauss say repeated attempts to serve a subpoena on businessman Leslie Wexner have been blocked by his security detail. The plaintiffs have asked U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson to allow alternative methods of service so they can depose Wexner and obtain documents they consider relevant to the case.
The legal team says process servers first tried to serve Wexner at an Ohio State board meeting in September but were told he no longer attends those meetings. Subsequent attempts by private process servers and by Franklin County sheriff's deputies failed, the plaintiffs wrote in a motion filed in the Southern District of Ohio. Wexner is not accused of wrongdoing in the litigation; his counsel, Matthew Zeiger, has declined to forward the subpoena and maintains Wexner does not possess discoverable information.
The plaintiffs asked the court to permit alternative service methods, including leaving the subpoena with security officers at Wexner's New Albany, Ohio, residence, mailing it to his home, or delivering it electronically to his attorney. Their filing argues that Mr. Wexner is aware of the request and that plaintiffs have made diligent—but unsuccessful—efforts to serve him.
Why plaintiffs say Wexner may have relevant information
Although Wexner's counsel disputes his relevance, the plaintiffs point to several circumstances suggesting he could have knowledge useful to their claims. Wexner served on Ohio State's board of trustees during the period when Strauss faced disciplinary hearings and when his employment contract was not renewed in 1996. Plaintiffs also note Wexner was a major benefactor when the Strauss scandal returned to public attention in 2018, and that his wife, Abigail Wexner, served on the university's board at that time.
The court filing states in part that 'it defies all logic and reason that Mr. Wexner would not have any knowledge about Strauss or his victims, especially given that he was a Board member during Strauss's disciplinary hearings and the nonrenewal of his employment contract in 1996.'
Context: Strauss, settlements and related depositions
An independent investigation commissioned by Ohio State concluded in May 2019 that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male athletes and students from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s, and that coaches and administrators were aware of abuse for decades but failed to stop it. Strauss died by suicide in 2005.
Since the 2018 revelations, Ohio State says it has paid roughly $60 million in settlements to nearly 300 victims, though several lawsuits remain active. Lawyers for the current plaintiffs have deposed other figures connected to the program, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was an assistant wrestling coach from 1986 to 1994; former athletic director Andy Geiger; and former football star and assistant athletic director Archie Griffin.
Epstein-related references and denials
The Wexner name also appears in documents and allegations connected to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein served as Wexner's money manager for nearly two decades; Wexner says he severed ties in 2007 after allegations against Epstein surfaced. Publicly released documents have included an allegation from the late Epstein survivor Virginia Roberts Giuffre that she was forced to have sex with Wexner; Wexner has denied that claim. Another accuser, Maria Farmer, alleged an assault by Epstein in 1996 at an Ohio property she said was 'owned and secured' by the Wexners; Wexner has denied knowledge of that incident.
Wexner's spokesman declined to comment. The plaintiffs' filing notes that Matthew Zeiger represents Wexner and that his father and law partner, John Zeiger, chairs Ohio State's board of trustees.
The plaintiffs now await the court's decision on their request to use alternate service methods so they can proceed with a deposition and document requests they believe may shed light on what university trustees and administrators knew about Strauss and when.