Washington, D.C. / Columbus, OH – In a major development in the ongoing Ohio State University sexual abuse scandal, Republican Congressman Jim Jordan is set to be deposed this Friday regarding long-standing allegations that he failed to act on reports of sexual abuse during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at the university.
Jordan, who served as an assistant coach at Ohio State from 1986 to 1994, will face questioning under oath for the first time from attorneys representing hundreds of former OSU students—primarily athletes—who have come forward with claims of sexual abuse by the now-deceased university physician, Dr. Richard Strauss.
Dr. Strauss, who worked at OSU from the late 1970s through the 1990s, is accused of sexually abusing at least 177 students, according to an independent investigation conducted by the law firm Perkins Coie in 2019. The report concluded that university officials were aware of Strauss’s misconduct for years but failed to act.
Among those now under scrutiny is Rep. Jim Jordan, who has consistently and emphatically denied ever knowing about Strauss’s abuse during his time on staff. Jordan has claimed that he was unaware of any wrongdoing at the time and has accused those alleging otherwise of attempting to smear him for political reasons. However, multiple former wrestlers have come forward stating they believe Jordan knew and did not intervene.
Friday’s deposition marks a critical moment in the broader legal battle. Despite years of public denials, this will be the first time Jordan will answer questions under oath related to his alleged knowledge of Strauss’s conduct and whether he had a responsibility to protect student-athletes from abuse. The outcome of this testimony could have significant legal and political implications, particularly as Jordan continues to hold a powerful role in Congress and remains a vocal figure within the Republican Party.
The lawsuits against Ohio State, filed by hundreds of former students and athletes, allege that the university enabled, ignored, and covered up decades of sexual abuse by Strauss, and that those in positions of authority—including athletic department staff—failed to act despite persistent warnings and complaints.
Legal experts note that Jordan’s deposition could play a key role in establishing what university officials and staff members knew, when they knew it, and how they responded—or failed to respond—to the mounting allegations. His statements will be closely analyzed not only by attorneys but also by the broader public, many of whom continue to demand accountability from both OSU and those who held positions of authority during Strauss’s tenure.
So far, Ohio State has agreed to pay more than $60 million in settlements to survivors, though many lawsuits are still pending. Meanwhile, survivors continue to seek justice, transparency, and change.
As the deposition date approaches, all eyes will be on Jim Jordan, whose long-standing denials will finally be tested in a formal legal setting. The survivors, many of whom have waited decades to be heard, hope this marks a step toward long-overdue accountability—not just from the university, but from everyone who may have been complicit in remaining silent.
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