Lawmaker implicated in abuse claims against doctor
COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio congressman isn’t being truthful when asserting he was unaware of allegations that a now-dead team doctor was abusing athletes, according to two former university wrestlers.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a former standout college wrestler at the University of Wisconsin and later a coach at Ohio State, knew when he was at the university that the doctor was groping male wrestlers, said ex-wrestlers Mike Disabato and Dunyasha Yetts.
The wrestlers’ allegations were first reported Tuesday by NBC. Jordan, a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, denies them.
Jordan, a founder of the conservative Freedom Caucus, is one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress and a potential contender for speaker.
Male athletes from 14 sports at Ohio
State have reported alleged sexual misconduct by Richard Strauss, who was on the faculty and medical staff and published a variety of research. Strauss died in 2005, and his death was ruled a suicide.
Jordan’s spokesman said in a statement that the congressman never saw or heard about any abuse or had any abuse reported to him during his time at Ohio State.
“He has not been contacted by investigators about the matter but will assist them in any way they ask, because if what is alleged is true, the victims deserve a full investigation and justice,” said spokesman Ian Fury.
Late Tuesday, a law firm representing Ohio State contradicted that statement. An investigative legal team looking into the allegations against Strauss previously contacted Jordan’s office by phone and email requesting he participate in an interview, but Jordan did not respond, said Kathleen Trafford of Porter Wright in Columbus.
Fury said the office can’t find a record of those requests but remains willing to assist investigators.
The House speaker’s office on Tuesday called the allegations against Jordan “serious.”
Doug Andres, a spokesman for GOP Speaker Paul Ryan, said the university has “rightfully initiated a full investigation into the matter” and the speaker will “await the findings of that inquiry.”