News Summary
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was questioned under oath in a federal lawsuit related to the Ohio State University sexual abuse scandal involving former doctor Richard Strauss. The lawsuit alleges that OSU failed to protect student-athletes from Strauss’s abuse over a twenty-year period. As the legal case continues, accusations against Jordan have intensified, with claims that he was aware of Strauss’s misconduct and dismissed reports regarding it. The ongoing litigation highlights the difficulties institutions face in addressing historical abuses and the responsibilities of individuals involved.
Columbus, Ohio – Republican U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was questioned under oath in July as part of a federal lawsuit concerning the Ohio State University (OSU) sexual abuse scandal involving former doctor Richard Strauss. The lawsuit, filed by former student-athletes, alleges that the university failed to protect its athletes from Strauss’s abuse, which occurred over two decades from 1978 to 1998.
Jordan’s testimony marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal battle, as he previously faced questioning in an independent investigation by the university but had not yet testified under oath. The abuse allegations involve hundreds of athletes, and Strauss, who died in 2005, is accused of assaulting at least 177 students thousands of times during his tenure at OSU.
The former wrestling coach at OSU from 1986 to 1994 has been accused by former wrestlers of being aware of Strauss’s misconduct and failing to take appropriate action during and after the reported incidents. In response to the allegations during his deposition, Jordan maintained that he had no knowledge of the abuse occurring at the time.
Jordan’s questioning follows the release of the documentary “Surviving Ohio State,” overseen by George Clooney, which aired on HBO and Max starting June 17. The documentary has spotlighted various accusations against Jordan, suggesting he was aware of Strauss’s actions. Witness accounts within the documentary claim that reports of Strauss’s inappropriate behavior were dismissed by Jordan and another coach.
Several individuals have been questioned as part of the case, including former OSU Athletic Director Andy Geiger and plaintiffs Michael Murphy and John Doe 72. Among the claims made during the deposition, former wrestler Dan Ritchie asserted that Jordan downplayed Strauss’s behavior while also suggesting he would have acted had he known about it.
The legal context of the case reflects a larger pattern of survivors seeking justice and compensation for their experiences. Some survivors have expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation offers from Ohio State, arguing that they should receive payouts comparable to those awarded in other abuse cases. James Snyder-Hill, a survivor, voiced skepticism regarding Jordan’s credibility during the deposition, suggesting doubts about his truthfulness concerning the knowledge of the abuse.
Although Jordan has not been directly sued in relation to the lawsuits against Ohio State regarding Strauss’s misconduct, the intensity of allegations against him has increased. A former wrestler associated with the case claimed that Jordan made an attempt to convince him to retract his allegations during a past conversation, further complicating Jordan’s defense position.
The university’s independent investigation in 2019 uncovered the extensive scope of Strauss’s abuse, detailing that the physician had sexually assaulted numerous students over the span of his career. The ongoing legal proceedings involving former student-athletes serve as a crucial avenue for seeking justice for those affected and may yield more information regarding the response of individuals in leadership positions, including Jim Jordan, during that period.
As litigation continues, the implications of this case highlight the challenges faced by institutions in addressing historical abuses and the responsibilities of individuals who may have been aware of such misconduct.
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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
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee 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 Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
