Ohio State University President Resigns Amid Scandal Over Favours for Mistress
The former president of Ohio State University, Walter Carter Jr., has resigned from his seven-figure position following a damning investigation that exposed his misuse of authority to benefit his mistress. Carter, also known as Ted, stepped down on March 7, admitting to an "inappropriate relationship" with associate Krisanthe Vlachos, which he allowed to improperly influence his decisions.
Secret Meetings and Covert Vacations
According to the university's report, Carter and Vlachos conducted their affair discreetly, with Carter arranging for her to visit his office via a secret garage entrance to avoid detection. The pair took five covert vacations together to destinations including Orlando, Kansas City, Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, and Richmond in Vermont. Carter even fabricated a business reason for one trip to secure time off, though no university funds were used for their holidays.
Their relationship, which began in 2023 when Carter was president of the University of Nebraska, remained hidden for years until they were spotted together outside a Philadelphia hotel in November. A witness described an early morning encounter that "suggested the possibility of an inappropriate relationship," leading to the exposure of their affair.
Abuse of Position for Personal Gain
The investigation detailed Carter's "wide-ranging efforts to assist Vlachos both inside and outside the university." Key actions included:
- Emailing an Ohio State employee to help Vlachos find a full-time job at the university as she planned to move from St Louis to Columbus.
- Attempting to secure resources for her veteran-focused podcast, including space from a public media station linked to Ohio State.
- Introducing her to business partners to seek $2.9 million in funding for an app aimed at helping veterans find jobs, though one company, JobsOhio, reported staff were "not impressed at all with the technology."
- Using Ohio State's Theater, Film and Media Arts space to host a play Vlachos organised after it was cancelled at another venue, despite staff and production company representatives concluding she was incapable of event planning.
Personal Life and Investigation Fallout
Throughout the affair, Carter was married to Lynda Carter for 40 years, with whom he is believed to share two children. Lynda, often seen supporting him at university events and sports games, was previously known as the "First Lady of the University of Nebraska." It remains unclear whether she was aware of the relationship.
Carter declined interview requests from investigators, while Vlachos did not respond to outreach. The report also noted that Vlachos blamed Ohio State for poor ticket sales when the play failed, appearing to use it to promote her podcast.
Ohio State University has released the full investigation report, detailing the circumstances of Carter's disgraced departure from his $1 million-per-year role. The Daily Mail has contacted both Carter and Vlachos for comment on the findings.
