News Summary
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan recently testified under oath regarding allegations of sexual abuse by former OSU doctor Richard Strauss. This deposition is part of a federal lawsuit filed by student-athletes against Ohio State University for failing to protect them. The allegations have resurfaced following the airing of a documentary detailing the abuse and Jordan’s purported awareness of Strauss’s actions during his tenure as a wrestling coach. The case highlights the need for accountability and better protections for student-athletes amidst ongoing scrutiny.
Columbus, Ohio – U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, recently testified under oath in connection with allegations of sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, a former team doctor at Ohio State University (OSU). This deposition, which took place on July 7, 2023, is part of an ongoing federal lawsuit filed by former student-athletes against OSU, asserting that the university failed to protect its athletes from the physician’s predatory behavior.
Dr. Strauss was employed at OSU from 1978 until his retirement in 1998 and was known to have engaged in nearly 1,500 instances of sexual assault during his tenure, as detailed in a 2019 independent report. The depth of the abuse has prompted hundreds of former athletes to come forward with allegations against the doctor, many of whom claim that Jordan was aware of the misconduct while he served as an assistant coach for the OSU wrestling team from 1986 to 1994.
The impetus for Jordan’s deposition follows the release of the documentary “Surviving Ohio State,” directed by Eva Orner and produced by George Clooney, which aired on HBO and Max on June 17, 2023. The documentary includes testimonials from former OSU wrestlers who allege that Jordan knew about the abuse yet failed to take action. While Jordan’s office has not confirmed the details of the deposition, his long-standing stance is one of denial regarding any awareness of Strauss’s crimes or any supposed cover-up.
Jordan had previously participated in questioning during an independent investigation conducted by OSU but had not given sworn testimony until now. Following the documentary’s airing, allegations against him resurfaced, prompting further scrutiny of his role in the situation. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs have also sought testimony from other individuals associated with the case, including former OSU athletic director Andy Geiger.
In addition to the lawsuit, OSU has reached settlements with nearly 300 individuals who survived Strauss’s abuse, providing average compensation of $252,000 per survivor. However, many former athletes have expressed discontent with the settlements, indicating that the compensation is significantly lower than what other survivors, such as those in the Larry Nassar case, received. This disparity in compensation has fueled ongoing discussions about the university’s handling of sexual abuse claims.
The revelations stemming from the deposition and the documentary have reignited conversations about the broader culture regarding sexual assault at OSU and the institutional response to allegations made by student-athletes. Former wrestlers like Michael DiSabato have openly discussed their experiences, suggesting that the awareness of other significant abuse scandals contributed to their realization of being victims of Strauss as well.
Despite these allegations, Jordan’s spokesperson asserts that he “never saw or heard of any abuse” and has indicated that he would have acted had he been aware of any wrongdoing. The ongoing scrutiny of Jordan’s involvement has generated substantial media attention and public discourse on the responsibilities of coaching staff regarding student welfare and the protocols for reporting abuse.
While Jordan’s deposition and its implications await further legal developments, the case highlights the urgent need for institutional accountability and improved protective measures for student-athletes in collegiate athletics. As this legal battle continues, the voices of the victims serve as a crucial component in the quest for justice and acknowledgment of their experiences.
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Jim Jordan Testifies in Ohio State Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Additional Resources
- Associated Press: Jim Jordan Deposed in Ohio State Abuse Case
- Los Angeles Times: Opinion on Ohio State Wrestling Abuse
- Dayton Daily News: Jim Jordan’s Deposition on Abuse Allegations
- 10TV: Jim Jordan Deposed in Federal Suit
- Ohio Capital Journal: Jim Jordan Knew About Strauss Abuse
- Wikipedia: Jim Jordan
- Google Search: Jim Jordan Ohio State Sexual Abuse
- Google Scholar: Ohio State Sexual Abuse Case Jim Jordan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Abuse
- Google News: Jim Jordan Ohio State Abuse Lawsuit
