• Representative Jim Jordan Served As An Assistant Wrestling Coach At Ohio State From 1986 To 1994.
• During Jordan’s Tenure As An Assistant Wrestling Coach, An Ohio State Team Doctor, Dr. Richard Strauss, Sexually Abused Team Members.
o Dr. Richard Strauss served as athletic doctor for Ohio state from the mid-1970’s until the late 1990’s.
o Investigators at Perkins Coie found that Strauss abused at least 177 male Student-patients during his tenure at OSU. These abuses ranged from groping under the guise of medical exams to “fondling to the point of erection and ejaculation.”
o Perkins Coie’s report found that University staff had knowledge of Strauss’ sexually abusive treatment as early as 1979 but complaints were never elevated beyond the athletic department. The report also mentioned that students viewed Strauss’ behavior as an “open secret” because coaches, team physicians, and trainers did nothing to stop it despite being “fully aware.”
o Ohio State issued an investigation after former OSU wrestler, Mike DiSabato, and his brother came froward detailing how he and others were victimized by Strauss; a total of 350 men sued Ohio State saying they were abused.
o DiSabato said he and other wrestlers were “preyed on” by Strauss.
• Ohio State Abuse Whistleblower Said Jim Jordan Was Aware Of Dr. Strauss’ Abuse Of Wrestlers And Sought To Keep It Quiet.
o OSU Abuse Scandal Whistleblower DiSabato accused then-assistant coach Jim Jordan of “turning a blind eye” to Dr. Strauss’ abuse of students saying, “Jim Jordan knew” and “did nothing.”
o DiSabato said that Jordan called him “crying, groveling, begging for me to go against my brother” in attempt to cover up information about what he knew regarding Strauss’ abuse.
o DiSabato said Jordan knew about the open-shower facilities that allowed Strauss to sexually harass and abuse team wrestlers. Later, eight different former wrestlers at Ohio State said Jordan was aware of Strauss’’ sexual abuse and did nothing to intervene.
o Former wrestler, Dunyasha Yetts said he specifically told Jordan of an instance in which he was abused by Strauss and no action was taken. Yetts also said that he and other teammates talked to Jordan “numerous times” about Strauss’ behavior. Jordan has claimed that he never even heard “locker room talk” about Strauss’ sexual abuse.
o Yetts said Jordan’s locker was “right next” to Strauss’ and Jordan even said “he’d kill him if he tried anything with him.” DiSabato also recounted that Jordan gave out a certificate every year called the “king of the sauna” for most clever banter in the shower, which is where the bulk of Strauss’ abuse took place.
o A Lawsuit filed by a former college wrestling referee claimed he told Jordan directly about Strauss’ sexual misconduct but that Jordan was “dismissive” and Strauss continued to treat and abuse students.
o The number of Strauss’ victims could number between 1,500 and 2,000 according to a former OSU wrestler’s testimony to OSU lawyers.
• Jordan Was Accused Of Witness Tampering For Attempting To Intimidate Witnesses Against Testifying In Ohio State Abuse Case.
o Former Ohio State wrestler that initially said Jordan had to have known about Strauss’ abuse later changed his statement saying he didn’t know if Jordan was aware of the abuse. Former OSU wrestler Mark Coleman appeared to “recant” the statement that Jordan must have known.
o However, one month prior to his statement of Jordan’s innocence, Coleman said there was “no way unless he’s got dementia or something” that Jordan was unaware of Strauss’ abuse. Coleman also said “I love this man, but he knew as far as I’m concerned.”
o Mike DiSabato claimed that Coleman changed his story about Jordan after Jordan, Jordan’s brother, and former OSU wrestling coach Russ Hellickson called Coleman’s parents and convinced them to help Jordan.
o Coleman was not the only former wrestler that Jordan and his allies pressured to support Jordan. OSU’s former wrestling coach contact both DiSabato and Yetts asking them to support Jordan. DiSabato called Jordan a “coward” and said he was calling and pressuring former wrestlers to “flip their stories.”
• Jordan’s Office Has Denied The Charges And While Mentioned In Lawsuits Against OSU, Jordan Has Never been Named As A Defendant In Abuse Cases.
o Jordan’s office views Jordan’s absence in original Perkins Coiereport as absolving him of wrongdoing.
o Yetts said of Jordan’s denial of knowing about the sexual abuse that “it’s a lie he keeps telling that he didn’t know” Yetts also added that if Jordan really didn’t know about the abuse “the first thing out of your mouth shouldn’t be ‘I was vindicated.’”
Jordan Won Four State Titles In Ohio High School Wrestling Achieving A Record Of 150-1. “As a high school athlete, Jordan obtained four state titles in wrestling with a career record of 150-1, according to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He wrestled for University of Wisconsin from 1982 to 1986, where he was a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA champion. A notable win in 1985 was when Jordan beat eventual six-time world and Olympic champion John Smith in the finals.” [Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/4/23]
Jordan Served As An Assistant Wrestling Coach At Ohio State University From 1986 To 1994. “Jordan, who was assistant wrestling coach at the university from 1986 to 1994, has repeatedly said he knew nothing of the abuse until former students began speaking out this spring, and continued to deny it on Tuesday. His denials, however, have been met with skepticism and anger from some former members of the wrestling team.” [NBC News, 7/3/18]
Dr. Richard Strauss Served As An Athletic Doctor for Ohio State From The Mid 1970’s Until The Late 1990’s. “The university announced in April that it was investigating accusations that Dr. Richard Strauss, who died in 2005, abused team members when he was the team doctor from the mid-1970s to late 1990s.” [NBC News, 7/3/18]
Investigators At Perkins Coie Found That Strauss Sexually Abused At Least 177 Male Student-Patients During His Tenure At Ohio State. “Investigators from Perkins Coie, the law firm that was picked to conduct the independent investigation, reported that ‘Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male student-patients.’ ‘We find that University personnel had knowledge of Strauss’ sexually abusive treatment of male student-patients as early as 1979, but the complaints about Strauss’ conduct were not elevated beyond the Athletics Department of Student Health until 1996,’ the report states.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
Perkins Coie Report: University Personnel Had Knowledge Of Strauss’ Sexually Abusive Treatment” As Early As 1979 But Complaints Were Not Elevated Beyond The Athletic Department Until 1996. “Investigators from Perkins Coie, the law firm that was picked to conduct the independent investigation, reported that ‘Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male student-patients.’ ‘We find that University personnel had knowledge of Strauss’ sexually abusive treatment of male student-patients as early as 1979, but the complaints about Strauss’ conduct were not elevated beyond the Athletics Department of Student Health until 1996,’ the report states.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
April 2018: Investigation Into Dr. Strauss’ Alleged Abuse Was Launched After Former OSU Wrestler, Mike DiSabato Came Forward Saying He Was Victimized By Strauss. “The Strauss investigation was launched 13 months ago after a whistleblowing former OSU wrestler named Mike DiSabato came forward and said he was victimized by Strauss. It became a national story last July when DiSabato and several other former wrestlers accused one of their former coaches, powerful Republican congressman Jim Jordan, of turning a blind eye to what Strauss was doing. Reached by telephone, DiSabato told NBC News on Friday that he was still reading the report but what he has seen vindicates what he has been saying for months — that he and the other wrestlers were preyed on by Strauss and that Jordan and other coaches did not intervene.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
NBC News: DiSabato Said He And Other Wrestlers Were “Preyed On” By Strauss. “It became a national story last July when DiSabato and several other former wrestlers accused one of their former coaches, powerful Republican congressman Jim Jordan, of turning a blind eye to what Strauss was doing. Reached by telephone, DiSabato told NBC News on Friday that he was still reading the report but what he has seen vindicates what he has been saying for months — that he and the other wrestlers were preyed on by Strauss and that Jordan and other coaches did not intervene.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
OSU Abuse Scandal Whistleblower DiSabato Accused Then-Assistant Coach Jim Jordan Of “Turning A Blind Eye” To Dr. Strauss’ Abuse Of Students Saying, “Jim Jordan Knew” And “Did Nothing.” “It became a national story last July when DiSabato and several other former wrestlers accused one of their former coaches, powerful Republican congressman Jim Jordan, of turning a blind eye to what Strauss was doing. Reached by telephone, DiSabato told NBC News on Friday that he was still reading the report but what he has seen vindicates what he has been saying for months — that he and the other wrestlers were preyed on by Strauss and that Jordan and other coaches did not intervene. ‘Jim Jordan knew, they all knew, and they did nothing,’ DiSabato said.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
DiSabato: Jordan “Called Me Crying, Groveling, Begging For Me To Go Against My Brother.” "’Jim Jordan called me crying, groveling, begging me to go against my brother, begging me, crying for a half-hour,’ DiSabato said Wednesday. ‘That’s the kind of cover-up that’s going on there.’" [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
DiSabato Said Jordan Knew About The Open-Shower Facilities That Allowed Strauss To Sexually Harass And Abuse Team Wrestlers. Adam DiSabato, captain of the team during the early 1990s, told members of the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee that Jordan and other officials ignored former Ohio State doctor Richard Strauss's sexual abuse of wrestlers from 1979 to 1997. DiSabato said that Jordan and other team officials knew about open-shower facilities that facilitated sexual harassment and abuse of team wrestlers. Jordan has previously denied the allegation.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
Eight Different Former Wrestlers At Ohio State Said Jordan Was Aware Of Strauss’ Sexual Abuse And Did Nothing To Intervene. “Eight wrestlers have said publicly that Jordan was aware of—and did not do anything to stop—Strauss's systemic abuse.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
Former Wrestler Dunyasha Yetts Said He Specifically Told Jordan Of An Instance In Which He Was Abused By Strauss And No Action Was Taken. “One former wrestler, Dunyasha Yetts, recounted to NBC News an instance in which he was abused and told Jordan directly. Another former wrestler, Shawn Dailey, later corroborated the story. ‘I remember I had a thumb injury and went into Strauss’ office and he started pulling down my wrestling shorts,” he said. ‘I’m like, what the f--- are you doing? And I went out and told Russ and Jim what happened. I was not having it. They went in and talked to Strauss.’ Yetts said he and his teammates talked to Jordan numerous times about Strauss. ‘For God’s sake, Strauss’s locker was right next to Jordan’s and Jordan even said he’d kill him if he tried anything with him,’ Yetts said.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
Yetts Said He And His Teammates Talked To Jordan “Numerous Times” About Strauss’ Inappropriate Behavior.” “Another former wrestler, Shawn Dailey, later corroborated the story. ‘I remember I had a thumb injury and went into Strauss’ office and he started pulling down my wrestling shorts,” he said. ‘I’m like, what the f--- are you doing? And I went out and told Russ and Jim what happened. I was not having it. They went in and talked to Strauss.’ Yetts said he and his teammates talked to Jordan numerous times about Strauss. ‘For God’s sake, Strauss’s locker was right next to Jordan’s and Jordan even said he’d kill him if he tried anything with him,’ Yetts said.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
Yetts Said Jordan’s Locker Was “Right Next” To Strauss’ And Jordan Said “He’d Kill Him If He Tried Anything With Him.” “Yetts said he and his teammates talked to Jordan numerous times about Strauss. ‘For God’s sake, Strauss’s locker was right next to Jordan’s and Jordan even said he’d kill him if he tried anything with him,’ Yetts said.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
Whistleblower DiSabato Said That Jordan Gave Out A Certificate Every Year Called “King Of The Sauna” For Most Clever Banter In The Shower. “DiSabato has said that Jordan gave out a certificate each year called “King of the Sauna,” to the person with the most clever banter while in the shower—a shower where Strauss allegedly performed the bulk of his sexual abuse. Jordan, DiSabato said, hung out in the sauna daily.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
College Wrestling Referee Said He Reported Sexual Misconduct Involving A Former OSU Doctor To Jordan. “A college wrestling referee says he reported sexual misconduct involving a former doctor who’s been accused sexually abusing nearly 300 hundred men over a 17-year period to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a former assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State. The congressman was dismissive, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court, and the doctor, Richard Strauss, continued to treat and abuse students at the school.” [Washington Post, 11/8/19]
Lawsuit Filed By Referee Claimed Jordan Was “Dismissive” Of Reported Sexual Misconduct By Strauss And He Continued To Treat And Abuse Students At Ohio State After. “A college wrestling referee says he reported sexual misconduct involving a former doctor who’s been accused sexually abusing nearly 300 hundred men over a 17-year period to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a former assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State. The congressman was dismissive, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court, and the doctor, Richard Strauss, continued to treat and abuse students at the school.” [Washington Post, 11/8/19]
2018: Former OSU Wrestler Told The University’s Lawyers In 2018 That Based On “Testimony From Victim Athletes” That One Could Estimate Strauss’ Victims Numbered Between 1,500 And 2,000. “Wednesday's testimony is a part of a hearing on legislation that would permit survivors of Strauss's abuse to sue the university for damages. Currently, the statute of limitations disallows them from doing so. A university study found that Strauss abused at least 177 people during his tenure as the wrestling team's doctor. Strauss was never charged and died by suicide in 2005. A former Ohio State wrestler told the university's lawyers in 2018 that, ‘Based on testimony from victim athletes from each of the aforementioned varsity sports, we estimate that Strauss sexually assaulted and/or raped a minimum of 1,500/2,000 athletes at OSU.’ In November 2019, NBC News reported that around 350 men were suing Ohio State, saying they were abused.” [Sports Illustrated, 2/12/20]
NBC News: Former Ohio State Wrestler And UFC Champion Mark Coleman Appeared To “Recant His Claim” That Jordan Knew The Team Doctor Was Sexually Abusing Athletes. “A conservative group that has been defending embattled Rep. Jim Jordan released a quote from a former Ohio State University wrestler on Thursday in which he appears to recant his claim that the congressman — when he was an assistant coach — knew that the team doctor was sexually abusing the athletes. Mark Coleman, who is also a former UFC world champion, said in a press release supplied by Shirley & Banister Public Affairs that his previous comments "were not accurate.’ ‘At no time did I ever say or have any direct knowledge that Jim Jordan knew of Dr. Richard Strauss’ inappropriate behavior,’ Coleman said in the release. ‘I have nothing but respect for Jim Jordan as I have known him for more than 30 years and know him to be of impeccable character.’" [NBC News, 8/9/18]
August 2018: Coleman Said “At No Time Did I Ever Say Or Have Any Direct Knowledge That Jim Jordan Knew Of Dr. Richard Strauss’ Inappropriate Behavior.” “Mark Coleman, who is also a former UFC world champion, said in a press release supplied by Shirley & Banister Public Affairs that his previous comments "were not accurate.’ ‘At no time did I ever say or have any direct knowledge that Jim Jordan knew of Dr. Richard Strauss’ inappropriate behavior,’ Coleman said in the release. ‘I have nothing but respect for Jim Jordan as I have known him for more than 30 years and know him to be of impeccable character.’" [NBC News, 8/9/18]
July 2018: Coleman Said “There’s No Way Unless He’s Got Dementia Or Something That He’s Got No Recollection Of What Was Going On At Ohio State” In Regards To Strauss’ Abuse. “It stands in contrast to what he told The Wall Street Journal on July 5 — two days after NBC News first reported allegations from three other wrestlers that Jordan must have known about the alleged abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. One of the wrestlers even said that he talked to Jordan about the doctor's behavior. Coleman had told the paper he roomed with Jordan on several wrestling trips when he was on the team in the 1990s. ‘There’s no way unless he’s got dementia or something that he’s got no recollection of what was going on at Ohio State,’ Coleman told the paper. ‘I have nothing but respect for this man, I love this man, but he knew as far as I’m concerned.’ A spokeswoman for the Journal said, ‘We stand by our reporting.’" [NBC News, 8/9/18]
DiSabato Said Coleman Was “Pressured” To Issue A New Statement After Jordan, Jordan’s Brother Jeff, And Former Ohio State Wrestling Coach Called Coleman’s Parents. “DiSabato, in a text message to NBC News, said Coleman was pressured to issue the new statement after Jordan, his brother, high school wrestling coach Jeff Jordan, and former Ohio State team coach Russ Hellickson all called Coleman’s parents. DiSabato’s account of the pressure placed on Coleman was corroborated by another former wrestler, who has spoken to NBC News before and asked not to be identified.” [NBC News, 8/9/18]
Coleman And Former OSU Wrestling Coach Appeared In A Video In Which They Were Discussing Strauss’ Lewd Behavior They Had Witnessed At The Team’s Headquarters. “Coleman and Hellickson also appear in a videotape that DiSabato made his year — before the accusations against Jordan were reported — talking about Strauss and the lewd behavior they witnessed at the wrestling team’s headquarters in Larkins Hall.” [NBC News, 8/9/18]
Former OSU Wrestling Coach Reached Out To Former OSU Wrestlers DiSabato And Dunyasha Yetts Asking Them To Support Jordan. “NBC News reported that Hellickson reached out to DiSabato and another athlete who wrestled for him, Dunyasha Yetts, and asked them to support Jordan. Hellickson’s appeal to help Jordan came after the congressman repeatedly said he had no idea that Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, was molesting wrestlers. Six former wrestlers interviewed by NBC News have said they believe Jordan must have known about the alleged abuse, but Yetts is the only one who said he had told Jordan about it directly. Other wrestlers, including two who spoke to NBC News, have said they believe that Jordan did not know about it.” [NBC News, 8/9/18]
Di Sabato Said Jordan Was A “Coward” And Accused Jordan Of Calling And Pressuring Former Wrestlers To “Flip Their Stories.” “Jordan, a key congressional ally to President Trump who was recently named the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, has denied knowing about the abuse when he was an assistant coach of the Ohio State team, but some wrestlers have accused him of knowing and turning a blind eye to it. That was DiSabato’s allegation during the legislative hearing on a bill that would allow victims to sue the school in the event of sexual abuse by a university-employed doctor. ‘He’s throwing us under the bus, all of us,’ DiSabato said. ‘He’s a coward. He’s not a leader; he’s a coward.’ He also accused Jordan of calling and pressuring other wrestlers to ‘flip their stories.’ ‘That’s the kind of person Jim Jordan is,’ DiSabato said.” [Washington Post, 2/12/20]
Jordan’s Name Had Been Mentioned “Several Times” Since The Accounts Of Rampant Abuse Were Revealed. “Although Jordan’s name has come up several times since the accounts of rampant abuse and misconduct were revealed, there has been no proof one way or another about what Jordan knew. An Ohio State independent investigation into the abuse did not make ‘conclusive determinations’ about whether particular employees knew about the abuse by Strauss, but a report issued in May said coaches did know. It said Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, sexually abused at least 177 male students from 1979 to 1996. In the midst of the Trump impeachment proceedings in the House, which Jordan took an active and high-profile role in, a new lawsuit was filed in which one alleged victim of Strauss’s sexual misconduct said he had reported it to Jordan. Jordan has been named in one other lawsuit as having been told, but he is not named as a defendant in any of them.” [Washington Post, 2/12/20]
Lawsuits Alleged That Jordan Had Been Told Directly By Former OSU Wrestlers Of Strauss’ Sexual Misconduct But Jordan “Is Not Named As A Defendant In Any Of Them.” “It said Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, sexually abused at least 177 male students from 1979 to 1996. In the midst of the Trump impeachment proceedings in the House, which Jordan took an active and high-profile role in, a new lawsuit was filed in which one alleged victim of Strauss’s sexual misconduct said he had reported it to Jordan. Jordan has been named in one other lawsuit as having been told, but he is not named as a defendant in any of them.” [Washington Post, 2/12/20]
Jordan Was Not Named In Redacted Report About Strauss’ Sexual Abuse Conducted By Perkins Coie. “Jordan does not appear to be named in the redacted report. But he has acknowledged in interviews that he cooperated with the investigators. And he has said repeatedly that he was not aware of what Strauss was doing and had not even heard any locker room talk about the abuse. His communications director, Ian Fury, insisted the report absolves Jordan. ‘The investigators concluded what we have said from the beginning: Congressman Jordan never knew of any abuse, and if he had he would have dealt with it,’ Fury said in a statement.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
Jordan’s Communication Director Insisted The Absence Of Jordan’s Name Absolved Him Of Wrongdoing. “His communications director, Ian Fury, insisted the report absolves Jordan. ‘The investigators concluded what we have said from the beginning: Congressman Jordan never knew of any abuse, and if he had he would have dealt with it,’ Fury said in a statement.” [NBC News, 5/17/19]
Former OSU Wrestler Said Of Jordan’s Denial Of Knowing About The Sexual Abuse That “It’s A Lie He Keeps Telling That He Didn’t Know.” “Yetts told NBC that he and many of his former teammates were outraged after Jordan claimed he was exonerated by the independent investigation. ‘For me this is personal because it’s a lie he keeps telling that he didn’t know,’ Yetts told the network. ‘If you’re saying you didn’t know your guys were being assaulted by a team doctor and you found that out in a report, the first thing out of your mouth shouldn’t be ‘I was vindicated.’ If I knew one of my brothers was assaulted, the first thing I would do is run across the country and say ‘I’m sorry this happened to you.’” [Cleveland.com, 10/5/23]