Jim Jordan Testifies in Ohio State Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

A courtroom scene representing the tense atmosphere surrounding the Jim Jordan deposition in the Ohio State abuse case.

News Summary

U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was questioned under oath regarding allegations of sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss during his time at Ohio State University. The federal lawsuit involves former student-athletes who claim that their complaints were ignored. Jordan, who was a wrestling coach during the time of the abuse, has faced accusations of not acting on knowledge of Strauss’s misconduct. His testimony follows the release of a documentary that scrutinizes the university’s handling of the scandal and Jordan’s role in it, as survivors continue to seek accountability.

Columbus, Ohio – U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was questioned under oath in July in connection with a federal lawsuit filed by former Ohio State University student-athletes regarding sexual abuse that occurred at the institution. The lawsuit seeks to hold Ohio State accountable for its failure to address the abuse perpetrated by Dr. Richard Strauss during his tenure from 1978 to 1998.

The sexual abuse claims were brought forward by hundreds of athletes who allege that Strauss victimized them during his time at the university. Strauss, who passed away in 2005, has been accused of sexually assaulting at least 177 students, with many reports indicating that the assaults occurred thousands of times.

Jordan, who acted as an assistant coach for the Ohio State wrestling team from 1986 to 1994, faces allegations from former wrestlers claiming he was aware of Strauss’s inappropriate behavior and failed to take any action to stop it. During his deposition, Jordan’s office maintained that he had no knowledge of the alleged abuse.

This marks Jordan’s first appearance to testify under oath regarding the matter, although he has previously participated in an independent investigation by the university. His testimony comes on the heels of the release of the documentary “Surviving Ohio State,” produced by George Clooney, which scrutinizes the Strauss scandal and aired on HBO and Max beginning June 17. The documentary has notably amplified scrutiny of Jordan’s actions and knowledge regarding the abuse, with claims that he dismissed allegations against Strauss when they were brought to his attention.

A key witness, Fred Feeney, alleged that he had reported Strauss’s inappropriate behavior to Jordan and another coach, who reportedly dismissed his concerns. Furthermore, former wrestler Dan Ritchie claimed that Jordan downplayed Strauss’s behaviors during their encounters while also suggesting he would have acted differently had he been aware of the abuse.

Other individuals questioned in the case include plaintiffs Michael Murphy and John Doe 72, as well as former Ohio State Athletic Director Andy Geiger. As the inquiry continues, many survivors of Strauss’s abuse have criticized the compensation payments offered by Ohio State and are demanding higher payouts that they argue reflect the severity of the abuse faced, drawing comparisons to settlements received in other abuse cases.

Jordan has not been directly sued in any of the lawsuits against Ohio State pertaining to the abuse allegations. However, calls for accountability remain high, especially after a former wrestler claimed that he had a conversation with Jordan in which Jordan allegedly requested that the individual retract previous allegations against him. Such claims have further exacerbated skepticism about Jordan’s truthfulness regarding his knowledge of the abuse during his coaching tenure.

As the lawsuit progresses and the investigation unfolds, Jordan’s position as the U.S. Representative continues to be scrutinized, particularly regarding his historical involvement with Ohio State’s wrestling program and the broader implications of the Strauss abuse scandal.

The ongoing legal proceedings and personal testimonies offer a deeper insight into the actions (or inactions) of individuals within the university as they grapple with the long-lasting impacts of Dr. Strauss’s abuses on the lives of numerous student-athletes.