News Summary
Jim Jordan, a Republican U.S. Representative and former Ohio State wrestling coach, provided testimony under oath regarding allegations of sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Former athletes accuse Jordan of failing to act on knowledge of Strauss’s misconduct, despite his office denying awareness. The controversy intensified following the release of ‘Surviving Ohio State,’ a documentary detailing the abuse. Survivors are dissatisfied with compensation received and question Jordan’s truthfulness during his deposition, spotlighting broader concerns of accountability within the university’s athletics department.
Columbus, Ohio – Republican U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was questioned under oath in July as part of a federal lawsuit brought by former student-athletes of Ohio State University regarding a long-standing sexual abuse scandal. This lawsuit focuses on the university’s alleged failure to stop abuse perpetrated by Dr. Richard Strauss, who was associated with Ohio State from 1978 until 1998. Hundreds of former athletes have come forward accusing Strauss of sexual misconduct, which included at least 177 students over thousands of instances before his death in 2005.
Jordan, who served as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State from 1986 to 1994, is accused by former wrestlers of having knowledge of Strauss’s abusive behavior and failing to take appropriate action. Although Jordan’s office has consistently denied any knowledge of such abuse, this deposition marked the first occasion that he provided testimony under oath concerning these allegations. Previously, Jordan participated in the university’s independent investigation into Strauss’s actions.
The backdrop for Jordan’s deposition is the recent release of a documentary titled “Surviving Ohio State,” produced by George Clooney. The documentary, which began airing on HBO and Max on June 17, discusses the Strauss scandal and has reignited discussions around the alleged complicity of various individuals, including Jordan. The film features testimonies and accusations that paint Jordan in a negative light, indicating he may have been aware of the abuses but did not take necessary actions to address them.
In addition to Jordan, several other individuals have been deposed in the lawsuit, including plaintiffs Michael Murphy and John Doe 72, as well as former Ohio State Athletic Director Andy Geiger. Testimonies have revealed troubling accounts where some individuals, notably Fred Feeney, stated that he reported Strauss’s inappropriate behavior directly to Jordan and other coaches, who allegedly dismissed these concerns. Former wrestler Dan Ritchie also indicated that Jordan downplayed the situation while asserting he would have acted had he been aware of Strauss’s misconduct.
The university’s investigation conducted in 2019 uncovered that Dr. Strauss sexually assaulted a significant number of students during his time at Ohio State. In light of these findings, Jordan has not been named in any civil lawsuits against Ohio State related to this abuse, although scrutiny around his knowledge and inaction has intensified following the allegations from former wrestlers.
Jordan’s office has chosen not to confirm specifics about the deposition but has upheld his denial of any prior knowledge of the abuse. This situation has been compounded by comments from an unnamed former wrestler who alleged that during a conversation, Jordan asked him to retract his accusations against the university concerning the abuse.
Survivors of Strauss’s abuse have expressed their dissatisfaction with the compensation offered by Ohio State, insisting it falls short compared to payouts offered in other abuse cases. Survivor James Snyder-Hill, in particular, voiced skepticism regarding Jordan’s truthfulness during his deposition, reflecting a broader concern among many survivors regarding the accountability of all involved parties.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the ongoing investigation and scrutiny surrounding both Ohio State University and key figures within its athletics department continue, highlighting the complex and painful realities faced by many survivors of sexual abuse at the institution.
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Additional Resources
- AP News: Jim Jordan Deposition in Ohio State Abuse Case
- Los Angeles Times: Opinion on Ohio State Wrestling Sex Abuse
- Dayton Daily News: Jordan Forced to Answer Questions in Deposition
- Meadville Tribune: Jim Jordan Deposed in Federal Suit
- NBC4i: Rep. Jim Jordan to be Questioned Under Oath
- Wikipedia: Richard Strauss (Doctor)
- Google Search: Jim Jordan Ohio State Abuse Scandal
- Google Scholar: Ohio State Sexual Abuse
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Abuse
- Google News: Ohio State University Jim Jordan
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BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
