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Ohio Officials and Nurses Demand Les Wexner’s Name Removed From OSU Medical Center

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Deposition Highlights Wexner’s Denial and Lack of Charges Les Wexner was deposed at his New Albany home on Feb. 18 as part of a House Oversight Committee probe into Jeffrey Epstein; he answered every question, asserted he cut ties with Epstein nearly 20 years ago, and denied any knowledge of illegal activity [1][2]. No criminal charges have been filed against him in connection with the investigation [1][2]. The deposition was conducted under oath and recorded by the committee [1].

State Senator Calls for Board Resignation and Naming Review Republican state Sen. Andrew Brenner publicly urged Wexner to resign as chair of the OSU Wexner Medical Center board, saying the controversy distracts the university [1]. Brenner clarified he is not yet demanding removal of Wexner’s name, though a medical‑center spokesperson confirmed pending rename requests under the 2022 naming‑review procedure [1][2]. Ohio House leaders also called for a thorough investigation and a victim‑centered focus [1].

Nurses Association Demands Immediate Name Removal Ahead of Hospital Opening The Ohio Nurses Association sent a letter to OSU officials demanding removal of Wexner’s name from the medical center and other campus sites, citing an unredacted 2019 FBI document that lists him as a “co‑conspirator” [2]. ONA President Rick Lucas said the union must act to assure public safety before the new hospital building opens next week and scheduled a campus demonstration for Feb. 22 [2]. OSU confirmed several naming‑review requests are pending, including a resubmitted one after an earlier denial [2].

Discrepancy Between Political and Union Demands on Name Removal Brenner stopped short of calling for name removal, while the ONA explicitly demands immediate stripping of the Wexner name, creating a split between political and union pressure points [1][2]. Both parties agree on the need for a transparent review, but differ on timing and scope of action. The discrepancy highlights divergent strategies as the new hospital prepares to open.

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Timeline

1988 – 1997 – Les Wexner serves on Ohio State University’s Board of Trustees, a period during which the university evaluates physician Richard Strauss, later found to have abused 177 male students; his board tenure later fuels calls for his removal from campus honors[3].

2005 – Former OSU physician Richard Strauss dies by suicide, ending criminal proceedings but leaving a legacy of abuse that prompts ongoing litigation and settlement efforts by the university[4].

2019 – Ohio State launches an independent review of donations linked to Jeffrey Epstein, uncovering $336,000 in contributions from Epstein and his foundation; the university subsequently donates the same amount to the state’s Human Trafficking Initiative[4].

2019 – An unredacted FBI document from 2019 lists Les Wexner as a “co‑conspirator” in the Epstein investigation, providing the Ohio Nurses Association with a basis to demand removal of his name from university facilities[2].

2022 – OSU adopts a formal naming‑review procedure that allows students, staff, alumni and others to request changes to building names; several pending requests target Wexner‑named sites[2].

Dec 17, 2025 – A coalition of former OSU athletes publicly urges the university to strip Wexner’s name from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, arguing that “the names of Leslie Wexner and Woody Hayes cannot coexist on the same building” and citing his alleged Epstein ties and avoidance of Strauss‑related subpoenas[4].

Jan 20, 2026 – Former OSU athletes expand their campaign, calling for the removal of board chair John Zeiger because he serves as Wexner’s personal attorney, and they demand that Wexner’s name be taken off the Woody Hayes facility, linking the issue to the Strauss abuse scandal[3].

Feb 18, 2026 – State Sen. Andrew Brenner publicly urges Les Wexner to resign as chair of the OSU Wexner Medical Center board, saying the controversy “distracts the university,” while House Speaker Matt Huffman and Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn stress a thorough investigation and victims’ justice as central priorities[1].

Feb 18, 2026 – The Ohio Nurses Association sends a letter to OSU demanding removal of Wexner’s name from the medical center and other campus sites, citing the 2019 FBI document; ONA President Rick Lucas declares, “We must make a clear, firm stand to assure the public that the hospital is safe,” and the union plans a demonstration on Feb 22 and wants the name removed before the new hospital opens next week[2].

Feb 22, 2026 – The Ohio Nurses Association holds a campus demonstration demanding the removal of Wexner’s name from OSU facilities, reinforcing its call for a “clear, firm stand” on safety ahead of the upcoming hospital opening[2].

Feb 25, 2026 (expected) – The new Wexner Medical Center building is slated to open; the timing intensifies pressure on university officials to decide on pending rename requests and to address the ONA’s demand to strip Wexner’s name before the opening[2].

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