UPDATE: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will testify under oath this Friday, July 15, 2024, in connection with the ongoing Richard Strauss sex abuse scandal at Ohio State University. This urgent development follows years of legal battles and appeals regarding the decades-long abuse perpetrated by Strauss, a former university doctor.
The questioning of Jordan, along with former Ohio State Athletic Director Andy Geiger, is part of civil lawsuits against the university. While neither has been charged with any crimes, growing scrutiny surrounds what they knew about Strauss’ abusive behavior.
Sources confirm that Geiger was deposed just days ago in Los Angeles, where he acknowledged awareness of Strauss’s inappropriate conduct, including taking excessively long showers with student athletes. Geiger also reportedly recalled conversations with the late fencing coach Charlotte Remenyik, who warned university officials about Strauss’s actions, raising significant alarm.
Survivors of Strauss’s abuse, who have bravely come forward since 2018, have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences, detailing sexual abuse, drugging, and rape. Many express outrage that the abusive behavior persisted for nearly 20 years, with claims that university leaders, including coaches, were aware yet failed to take action.
At least four former wrestlers and one referee have stated they reported Strauss’s misconduct to Jordan when he served as an assistant wrestling coach. This revelation adds to the mounting pressure on Jordan as he prepares for his deposition. A spokesperson for Jordan reiterated his previous denials, asserting that he “never saw or heard of any abuse.”
Furthermore, attorneys representing Ohio State have been questioning survivors, emphasizing allegations that the university not only knew about Strauss’s actions but also facilitated and concealed them. Ohio State has since reached settlements with over half of the plaintiffs, totaling more than $60 million, demonstrating the university’s acknowledgment of the abuse and its impact on survivors.
In a statement, an Ohio State University spokesperson expressed regret for the abuse suffered by victims, thanking survivors for their courage in participating in the independent investigation. The university continues to offer counseling services and medical treatment for those affected.
As this scandal unfolds, the public will be closely watching how Jordan’s testimony might influence the ongoing legal proceedings and the broader implications for accountability at Ohio State University.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.