Whistleblower in Ohio State case convicted of harassment

The first person to report allegations of sexual abuse against Ohio State University team doctor Ricard Strauss has been convicted of telephone harassment in an unrelated criminal trial in Marysville Municipal Court.

Michael H. DiSabato, 50, of Dublin, was convicted Monday in a one-day jury trial on charges of misdemeanor telephone harassment.

The charges stem from an October 2017 report filed with Dublin police by Bret Adams, a local sports agent and attorney.

According to police records, DiSabato was repeatedly warned to stop sending text messages to Adams and eventually was given a cease- and- desist order.

In November, he responded to an officer’s order to refrain from texting: “No contact. Understand and agree.”

A month later, he resumed his contact with Adams, after Adams filed a lawsuit against him in Union County.

Adams said that DiSabato continued to harass him, even in the trial, by making faces at Adams. At one point, DiSabato used an obscene gesture toward Adams, conduct that drew a rebuke from a judge. Those claims were verified by court personnel.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled. DiSabato could face up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

DiSabato sent a letter in January to the university alleging that Dr. Richard Strauss, who is now dead, had sexually abused him in the 1980s when DiSabato was an OSU wrestler.

It was followed by more than 150 similar complaints by former athletes, students and witnesses.