Full Breakdown
Investigation Reveals Misuse of Resources by Former Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.
4/21/2026, 11:44:27 PM
Findings of the Investigation
The Ohio State University has released the findings of an investigation into the resignation of former President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr., which was prompted by concerns regarding his conduct. The investigation, conducted by the Office of University Compliance and Integrity and the Department of Internal Audit, concluded that Carter misused his presidential position to benefit Krisanthe Vlachos, a personal associate and podcaster. The report indicates that Carter sought university resources for Vlachos over nearly two years, leveraging his role to influence decisions and actions that were not in the university's best interests.
The investigation found that Carter's actions included attempts to secure employment, financial support, and technical assistance for Vlachos, who hosted the podcast "The Callout." Despite these efforts, university processes and employee decisions ultimately prevented any misuse of resources from succeeding. The report also highlighted that Carter and Vlachos had at least 24 meetings, both in-person and online, during his presidency.
Background on the Resignation
Carter resigned on March 7, 2026, citing an inappropriate relationship with Vlachos. His resignation followed the disclosure of this relationship to the Board of Trustees. The investigation began the day after his resignation, focusing on how his personal and professional ties to Vlachos influenced his judgment and actions as president.
Key Figures Involved
Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. served as the president of Ohio State University before his resignation. Krisanthe Vlachos is the host of "The Callout," a podcast aimed at connecting military and veterans to the energy sector. Chris Kabourek, the former Senior Vice President for Administration and Planning, was identified as Vlachos’ primary contact at the university and supported Carter's efforts on her behalf.
Official Statements & Responses
John W. Zeiger, chair of the Board of Trustees, expressed disappointment in the findings but acknowledged the effectiveness of the university's systems in preventing misuse of resources. He stated, “Its findings regarding our former president are deeply disappointing, but it is gratifying that the university’s systems and processes... prevented misuse of Ohio State’s resources.” The report recommended maintaining the independence of the Board of Trustees in reviewing presidential requests and revising ethics training for senior leaders.
Criticism & Opposition
While the investigation concluded that no further personnel actions were necessary against Carter or Kabourek, the report's findings have raised concerns about the integrity of leadership at Ohio State. Critics argue that the close relationship between Carter and Vlachos reflects a troubling lack of oversight and accountability within the university's administration.
What's Next
The university plans to share the investigation report with several state officials, including Ohio Inspector General Randall Meyer and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Ohio State will continue to respond to any state and federal inquiries related to the findings of the investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
“Carter put his own interests and those of Vlachos before the university’s interests,” — Ohio State Investigation Report
“Carter released, in part, the following statement at the time of his resignation: “For personal reasons, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as president of The Ohio State University.” — Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.
