Multiple former Ohio State wrestlers have gone on the record accusing Jim Jordan, a prominent Republican Congressman from Ohio, of turning a blind eye to alleged sexual abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, a longtime Ohio State team doctor.
In April, Ohio State announced an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Strauss, who died in 2005 at age 67, after one alleged victim came forward saying he and other athletes were abused by Strauss “from the mid-1970s to the 1990s.” Jordan, an assistant coach for the Buckeyes from 1986 to 1994, has denied having any knowledge of the alleged abuse.
However, several of his former wrestlers told NBC News that they have a hard time believing that to be the case.
Three former wrestlers told NBC News that it was common knowledge that Strauss showered regularly with the students and inappropriately touched them during appointments, and said it would have been impossible for Jordan to be unaware; one wrestler said he told Jordan directly about the abuse.
Former head coach Russ Hellickson, Jordan’s mentor, said in a recent video — made by Mike DiSabato, a former wrestler — that Hellickson had told Strauss that he was being too “hands on” with students. DiSabato, whose allegations against Strauss prompted Ohio State to open its investigation, called Jordan a “liar.”
“I considered Jim Jordan a friend,” DiSabato said. “But at the end of the day, he is absolutely lying if he says he doesn’t know what was going on.”
