Jim Jordan Testifies Under Oath in Ohio State Sex Abuse Investigation

Republican Congressman Jim Jordan appeared voluntarily for a deposition on Friday, marking his first sworn testimony regarding the Ohio State University sex abuse scandal. During his deposition, Jordan addressed allegations that he was aware of, yet did not act against, sexual misconduct by university staff.

The scandal involves a former OSU team doctor, Dr. Richard Strauss, who was found to have committed nearly 1,500 acts of sexual assault and nearly 50 rapes over two decades, from 1979 to 1996. An independent investigation revealed Strauss’s abuse of at least 177 male students, many of whom were athletes.

Former OSU wrestlers, in a new HBO documentary titled “Surviving Ohio State,” accused Jordan of knowing about Strauss’s misconduct during his time as an assistant wrestling coach between 1987 and 1995. Several survivors assert that Jordan was aware of the abuse but chose to ignore it, an assertion he has consistently denied.

The documentary reports that many who knew about the abuse looked away, effectively enabling the predator. This deposition comes amid ongoing civil litigation filed by former student-athletes against Ohio State, seeking justice for the harm inflicted.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s testimony highlights a broader issue of sexual abuse cover-ups within powerful institutions. Advocates emphasize that childhood sexual trauma can lead to lifelong psychological effects, including PTSD, depression, and substance abuse.

Despite Republican efforts to suppress information related to high-profile sex abuse cases, victims and advocates hope that bringing Jordan under oath will lead to accountability. His participation in the investigation represents a significant step for survivors seeking justice after years of silence.

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