Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, on Wednesday issued fresh denials that he knew about claims wrestlers he coached more than two decades ago at Ohio State University had been sexually abused by their team doctor, and that he failed to prevent such action.
“We knew of no abuse, never heard of abuse. If we had, we would have reported it,” Jordan told reporters at a Fourth of July event in Ohio on Wednesday. “And if, in fact, there’s problems, we want justice for the people who were victims obviously.”
“As I said, we’re happy to talk with the folks who are doing the investigation. But nothing — I mean, things they said about me just were flat out not true,” he continued, referring to a probe Ohio State launched into Dr. Richard Strauss, the accused doctor, in April.
[Opinion: Jim Jordan denies turning a blind eye to sexual abuse: ‘I never heard of abuse, plain and simple’]
Three former wrestlers told NBC that it was “common knowledge” that Strauss, who died in 2005, showered with students and touched them inappropriately during appointments, and that Jordan had to have been aware when he was an assistant wrestling coach at the university from 1986 to 1994.
Jordan and his office have pushed back on assertions that he ignored interview requests from investigators on the subject.
“Despite claims to the contrary, Congressman Jordan’s office has not received a request for interview from the investigative team,” Ian Fury, Jordan’s communications director, told the Washington Examiner. “We have demanded that they send us the supposed communication and remain willing to assist in any way that we can.”
Listen to his comments in full below:
