Courtroom session addressing serious allegations of sexual misconduct in a collegiate sports program.
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan has testified under oath regarding the longstanding allegations of sexual abuse at Ohio State University involving former team doctor Dr. Richard Strauss. Jordan, who previously served as an assistant wrestling coach, faced questions as part of a federal lawsuit filed by former student-athletes claiming the university failed to address Strauss’s abusive behavior. The deposition is amid ongoing scrutiny of OSU’s handling of such claims, with many expressing dissatisfaction over settlements reached with survivors.
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, has formally provided testimony under oath as part of ongoing legal proceedings related to allegations of sexual abuse at Ohio State University (OSU). The deposition was conducted on July 7, 2023, amid mounting scrutiny over the university’s handling of decades-old abuse claims involving former team doctor Dr. Richard Strauss.
Jordan, who served as an assistant wrestling coach at OSU from 1986 to 1994, was questioned as part of a federal lawsuit filed by former student-athletes accusing the university of failing to stop Strauss’s abusive behaviors. The lawsuit alleges that OSU was aware of Strauss’s misconduct but did not take adequate action to prevent further harm.
While Jordan’s office declined to confirm specific details of the deposition, it reiterated his longstanding denial of any knowledge of Strauss’s misconduct or a cover-up. Previously during his tenure as an assistant coach, Jordan was questioned during an independent university investigation but had not undergone an oath-under-testimony deposition until this recent legal proceeding.
Dr. Richard Strauss, who served as team doctor at OSU from 1978 until 1998, was found to have committed almost 1,500 acts of sexual assault based on a 2019 independent report. Strauss, who passed away in 2005, targeted hundreds of athletes, many of whom have come forward to describe how they were subjected to inappropriate touching and other forms of sexual abuse during their time at OSU.
Several former athletes, including wrestlers, have publicly accused Jordan of being aware of Strauss’s misconduct during his coaching years. Some claim that Jordan knew about the abuse but did nothing to intervene or report the incidents, leading to accusations of a cover-up.
The deposition occurred shortly after the release of “Surviving Ohio State”, a documentary produced by George Clooney and directed by Eva Orner, which was broadcast on HBO and Max on June 17. The documentary features testimonies from former wrestlers and athletes who allege that Jordan knew about the misconduct but failed to take action.
In addition to Jordan, other individuals associated with OSU’s athletics department have been questioned in connection with the scandal. Former athletic director Andy Geiger has also been examined as part of the efforts to uncover the full extent of the university’s knowledge and response to Strauss’s abuses.
OSU has settled with nearly 300 survivors of Strauss’s misconduct, providing an average payout of $252,000 per victim. However, many former athletes expressed dissatisfaction with the settlements, suggesting the compensation was lower than amounts awarded in similar sexual abuse cases, such as the Larry Nassar scandal.
The recent revelations and Jordan’s deposition have reignited discussions about the university’s handling of sexual abuse claims, as well as broader accountability within athletic programs. The allegations against Jordan have centered on whether he had knowledge of Strauss’s actions and whether he failed to act appropriately during his coaching years.
Legal experts and advocacy groups continue to scrutinize the responses of OSU officials and the university’s reporting mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of transparency and survivor support. The legal process remains ongoing as additional depositions and investigations are expected.
Since the reports of Strauss’s misconduct surfaced, OSU has faced multiple lawsuits and public criticism. The university has publicly acknowledged its past failures, settling with victims and implementing new policies to prevent future abuse. Nonetheless, questions about how much various individuals knew and when they knew it remain central to the investigation and legal proceedings.
The case continues to unfold as more depositions are scheduled and additional testimony is expected. The controversy underscores the importance of accountability and safeguarding athletes from abuse within collegiate sports programs.
Jim Jordan Questioned Under Oath in Ohio State Abuse Lawsuit
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