On February 10, 2026, Ohio State University placed Assistant Professor Luke M. Perez on administrative leave after a physical altercation with an independent journalist and documentarian in a hallway on campus. The man was attempting to ask former Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee additional questions following a public talk at the university’s Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Video footage published online and reported by local media shows Perez blocking the journalist and then striking the man’s camera equipment before tackling him to the ground. Ohio State University spokesperson Ben Johnson said the faculty member was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by university police. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The incident occurred after the journalist asked about issues including Ohio State’s historical connections to former board member and billionaire Les Wexner, whose past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has drawn public and legal scrutiny. The university’s statement described the event as “very concerning” and noted that a full review of the facts is underway. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
The journalist and another individual filed a report with the university’s Public Safety Department, and it was not immediately clear whether criminal charges would be pursued. University officials did not provide additional comment beyond the administrative leave announcement. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
