On April 21, 2026, The Ohio State University released a 47-page investigation report detailing the circumstances surrounding the resignation of former President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., who stepped down on March 7, 2026, after disclosing an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business.
The report, issued by the Office of University Compliance and Integrity and the Department of Internal Audit at the direction of the General Counsel, concludes that Carter “misused his position” to assist Kristanthe Vlachos, a podcaster with whom he had a close personal and business relationship, over a period of nearly two years.
According to the findings, Carter used the authority of his role to build wide-ranging efforts to support Vlachos both inside and outside the university, allowing the relationship to improperly influence his actions and impair his judgment.
The investigation was initiated following Carter’s resignation and the subsequent request by the university’s Board of Trustees for a full review. The report was published in full along with all underlying records on the same day it was released to the public.
Within the released documents, certain information has been redacted under Ohio’s public records laws, including personal contact information and non-record information, in accordance with State ex rel. Dispatch Printing Co. V. Johnson and Ohio Revised Code 149.011(G).
The report includes recommendations for moving forward, such as revisions to ethics and insider threat training, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the investigation, and the university has not indicated any further disciplinary action beyond the acceptance of Carter’s resignation.
The findings have prompted discussions about accountability and oversight in university leadership, particularly regarding the use of institutional resources for personal benefit.
As of the report’s release, Ohio State has not announced any additional investigations or leadership changes directly tied to the outcome of this review.
For the most current and official information, the full report and supporting documents remain available through the university’s compliance office.
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