Ohio State professor Luke Perez suspended after viral video shows alleged assault on journalist questioning former president E. Gordon Gee [VIDEO]

An Ohio State University professor has been placed on paid administrative leave after footage went viral showing him allegedly attacking a journalist in a hallway while the journalist attempted to question former university president E. Gordon Gee.

Luke Perez, an assistant professor at the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, allegedly grabbed filmmaker Michael Neuman and wrestled him to the ground on February 9 in Smith Laboratory. The incident occurred after Neuman and another journalist, DJ Byrnes, sought to ask Gee about student loan debt, the university’s handling of sexual abuse allegations, and links to late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In the video, Perez is seen telling Neuman, “I told you not to put that in my face… don’t touch me,” before the physical altercation. Neuman later described the encounter as a “sucker-punch” and called for Perez to be charged with assault.

 

Ohio State University confirmed Perez was placed on paid administrative leave while campus police investigate the incident. The university’s American Association of University Professors chapter condemned Perez’s actions, stating the assault undermines the stated mission of centers promoting “intellectual diversity” and free speech.

Neuman’s attorney, Rocky Ratliff, emphasized that the professor’s behavior was “not the actions of an admirable professor or someone who’s professional,” adding that Perez would likely face legal consequences if the roles were reversed.