University Hall on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Photo: Susan Montgomery/Shutterstock.com

The Ohio State University general counsel Christopher Culley, who has seen more than his share of high-profile campus scandals, is leaving the university as of Friday to become vice president for enterprise initiatives at Georgetown University.

Culley has been in Ohio State's office of legal affairs for 21 years. He joined the school in 1998 as deputy general counsel for six years and then served as general counsel for the last 15 years.

In a statement, Culley said, "It has been a great personal and professional privilege to serve the people of the State of Ohio as an assistant attorney general and general counsel of The Ohio State University. My career working with Ohio State encompasses over 30 years and began when I served as the first chief of the Education Section for the Ohio Attorney General."

The school named Anne Garcia, currently senior associate general counsel, to serve as interim vice president and general counsel while it engages in a national search for Culley's replacement. Garcia is a health care attorney who serves as vice president for legal and compliance for Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center.

Though the school made no official announcement, Garcia's office confirmed the change as did Benjamin Johnson, Ohio State's director of media and public relations.

Culley also served as senior vice president and senior adviser to Ohio State president Michael Drake. In that position, he aided Drake, who also serves as chair of the board of governors of the NCAA. Drake is leading the NCAA's efforts to eventually allow college athletes to profit from the use of their name, image or likeness.

In fact, Culley has served as adviser to three university presidents. He was instrumental in the creation of Ohio State's Office of University Compliance and Integrity, the first comprehensive compliance office in higher education.

The student newspaper, the Ohio State Lantern, cited an Oct. 9 email from Drake to members of his cabinet, informing them of Culley's leaving to take the Georgetown position.

The paper quoted the email as saying that Culley has helped guide Ohio State "through some of the more challenging moments in its history."

Those challenging moments include overseeing:

  • The defense of at least 14 lawsuits brought by more than 100 alleged sexually abused victims of former Ohio State physician Richard Strauss, who committed suicide. The abuse took place before Culley joined. An internal investigation by Perkins Coie in May found at least 177 students who had been abused. The parties are in mediation in hopes of settling out of court.
  • The Mary Jo White-led investigation last year of how popular football coach Urban Meyer handled a domestic abuse complaint against one of his assistant coaches. Meyer was basically cleared, but resigned at the end of the season.
  • The 2011 investigation and subsequent resignation of former football coach Jim Tressel over lying about his knowledge of players who traded or sold their jerseys and other memorabilia to a tattoo parlor owner.
  • An investigation and subsequent firing of Ohio State's marching band director over a "sexualized culture" in the band.

The Lantern article quoted Drake's email as saying, "I have appreciated Chris' calm and thoughtful approach to problem-solving, his collegiality and his dedication to the university throughout our time together. I know he will be missed, but I am happy for him as he pursues this exciting new opportunity."

It could take months to land a new general counsel. Michigan State University has been looking for one since February, when general counsel Robert Young was fired after reaching a settlement with sexual abuse victims of sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted and imprisoned.