Amid the investigation, JobsOhio seeks to recover $60,000 it paid for a podcast connected with the former university president’s resignation.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University says its investigation into former President Ted Carter is moving forward, but officials are offering few details about the scope or timeline.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said the university’s compliance office is handling the review and that leaders want the process to move quickly.
“I don’t have a timeline,” Johnson told 10TV. “I can tell you they want to move quickly.”
The investigation began after Carter disclosed what the university’s Board of Trustees described as an “inappropriate relationship” with someone seeking university resources for a private business. Carter resigned earlier this week.
Johnson confirmed that a business filing tied to a podcast connected to the situation is now part of the university’s investigation.
The filing lists WOSU Public Media as the address for a company run by Krisanthe Vlachos, the host of a veterans-focused podcast called “The Callout.” Vlachos is also the woman connected to Carter’s relationship disclosure.
“That business filing is part of the investigation,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the review is being handled by the university’s Office of University Compliance and Integrity, which operates independently of senior leadership. Because of that structure, he said it’s unlikely Ohio State’s new president will be involved in the process.
JobsOhio seeks to recover podcast payments
The podcast was sponsored by JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development nonprofit.
JobsOhio said it agreed to pay $15,000 per episode for a four-episode series of “The Callout” scheduled to be produced between September and December of last year.
According to the organization, only one episode was completed, citing scheduling issues for the remaining recordings.
JobsOhio now says it is seeking to recover $60,000 paid to Vlachos for the project.
The group also disclosed another engagement tied to Vlachos. JobsOhio paid $10,000 to Task Force Pineapple to help sponsor an event she brought to its attention, a Columbus performance of the play “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret” last January.
JobsOhio said it found no irregularities in its contracting or vetting process and that it followed all appropriate protocols in partnership with Ohio State.
As the university’s investigation continues, it is also moving forward with new leadership.
On Thursday, Ohio State’s Board of Trustees appointed Ravi Bellamkonda as the university’s 18th president.
Johnson said the investigation into Carter will continue through the university’s compliance office, independent of the new administration.
He also confirmed no referral has been made to law enforcement related to the matter at this time.
In terms of Carter’s departure, Johnson said there was no special separation agreement, aside from paying out unused vacation time, which he said is typical. Carter also requested to remain in the university president’s residence for 90 days, which the university approved.
It’s still not clear if Carter’s appearance alone on the podcast was the reason behind his decision to resign or if there was something additional.
“The board determined it was an inappropriate relationship,” Johnson said Thursday. “I don’t know beyond that.”