Ohio State University's Carlo Croce has stepped down as the chair of his department under pressure, Retraction Watch reports.
It notes that Croce, a cancer researcher there, has been plagued by allegations of research misconduct. In March 2017, the New York Times reported that a series of allegations had been made against Croce that led to investigations, but the cases were closed. It added that numerous journals had since issued editor's notes, corrections, and retractions for some of Croce's papers, though Ohio State had not formally found any instances of scientific misconduct or fraud. According to Retraction Watch's count, eight of Croce's papers have been retracted and more than a dozen others have been corrected or had an expression of concern added. Croce brought a libel suit against the Times, though it was largely dismissed earlier this month.
Retraction Watch says that Croce has now been forced out as department chair. Croce's lawyer James Arnold tells ABC6 in Columbus that Croce was not given a reason why he had to leave the post, which ABC6 says he's held for more than a decade. Ohio State tells Retraction Watch in a statement that it followed proper procedures.