On Friday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) was nominated by the House GOP caucus to replace Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House – third in line to the presidency. He was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

But a cloud hangs over Jordan. He has been accused of failing to report abuse at Ohio State University, where he worked as an assistant wrestling coach from 1987 to 1995.

An upcoming documentary about abuse at Ohio State — directed by and starring George Clooney for HBO — may draw more attention to the scandal and prompt more questions about Jordan’s involvement.

Though Jordan has repeatedly denied knowing about the allegations against Dr. Richard Strauss, who allegedly abused at least 177 male students at the university between 1979 and 1996, former wrestlers have claimed that Jordan was present when players spoke about Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005.

“I remember a couple of occasions when we would bring up the abuse to Jim and he would say: ‘If [Strauss] ever tried that with me, I’d snap his neck like a stick of dried balsa would,'” recalled former student Dan Ritchie to the L.A. Times. “Our coaches all knew.”

Another wrestler, Mike Flusche, also remembers hearing the comment.

“I was one of the people in the locker room who heard him say that, so for Jim to say he didn’t know is just a flat-out lie,” he said.

12 Comments

  • Jose Gonzalez
    Jose Gonzalez on

    Appalling. Child Abuse is a Serious Crime. If do not protect Our Children who will?

    He should Resign!

  • Jackie Whitlock
    Jackie Whitlock on

    Jordan knew and did nothing to protect students. He has not passed one single bill in congress. He should not be in congress let alone speaker position. Ohioans and Americans all deserve much better than Jordan

  • Vicki Long
    Vicki Long on

    Of COURSE he knew! A locker room is a place where people in every sport let there feelings be known. He has lied about many things, this is just another lie

  • Anna
    Anna on

    Good thing Trump drained that swamp !!!When is the Republican voter going to realize that the people in power are trying to put in the craziest freaking people they can dig up?. They have no interest in a healthy democracy. Their goal is a regressive autocracy. They will do everything to destroy education in this country. Lack of education is one of their main tactics.

  • josephina colon
    josephina colon on

    Congress is plagued with criminals and super old people who are way past tbeir positive contributions. It’s time for reorganization and clean up

  • josephina colon
    josephina colon on

    Congress is plagued with criminals, specially sex offenders

  • Darlene jones
    Darlene jones on

    I want to thank George Clooney for this documentary…I think Jim Jordan is a big Joke….

  • Harry
    Harry on

    Jordan will lie until he dies!

  • Kathryn Pogue
    Kathryn Pogue on

    If one knows a wrong is taking place and does not even attempt to put a stop to it or at the very least bring public light to it, is just as guilty as the one doing the wrong. The mental damage and trauma all those boys, young men have had to endure just to be betrayed once again, by a deplorable man that they placed their trust in and is now calling them liars. All those young men need to file a lawsuit against Mr. Jordan. He is as guilty as Strauss and they need some closure. Why hasn’t an attorney done this? The truth needs to be told, put out in public on billboards across the country. Jim Jordon is scum. Is there anything lower than scum that not only ALLOWS sexual molestation of child BUT provides a place for it to happen?? His silence not only stated that he condoned this attrocious unforgivable act, his silence allowed that office door to remain open when he could have closed it. And now, he says all those boys(men), that are scarred for life, are all liars.

    AND this despicable piece of shit is whom the GOP want as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America⁉️⁉️
    Says a whole lot about a lot of people lacking a lot more than just common decency. They don’t even deserve to be classified as human beings, just more scum that needs to be scraped from the bottom of my shoes.

  • Kathryn Pogue
    Kathryn Pogue on

    If one knows a wrong is taking place and does not even attempt to put a stop to it or at the very least bring public light to it, is just as guilty as the one doing the wrong. The mental damage and trauma all those boys, young men have had to endure just to be betrayed once again, by a deplorable man that they placed their trust in and is now calling them liars. All those young men need to file a lawsuit against Mr. Jordan. He is as guilty as Strauss and they need some closure. Why hasn’t an attorney done this? The truth needs to be told, put out in public on billboards across the country. Jim Jordon is scum. Is there anything lower than scum that not only ALLOWS sexual molestation of child BUT provides a place for it to happen?? His silence not only stated that he condoned this attrocious unforgivable act, his silence allowed that office door to remain open when he could have closed it. And now, he says all those boys(men), that are scarred for life, are all liars.

    AND this despicable piece of shit is whom the GOP want as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America⁉️⁉️
    Says a whole lot about a lot of people lacking a lot more than just common decency. They don’t even deserve to be classified as human beings, just more scum that needs to be scraped from the bottom of my shoes.

  • Matilda
    Matilda on

    He knew what was going on with athletes but he was too busy trying to become important to”Rock the boat.” Liar! Just as he is lying about the insurrection not occurring now to become Speaker. How does he peacefully sleep. ?

  • Eric
    Eric on

    Where are Qanon to “Save The Children”?

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