Rep. Jim Jordan Is Named in New OSU Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

[babylonsister]

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jim-jordan-ohio-state-700578/

July 18, 2018 10:08AM ET
Rep. Jim Jordan Is Named in New OSU Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
A new class action lawsuit on behalf of former athletes has named the Ohio congressman for failing to prevent sexual abuse perpetrated by a university doctor
By Bob Moser


In the two weeks since former Ohio State wrestlers began to make public allegations about being repeatedly molested and assaulted by team doctor Richard Strauss, Congressman Jim Jordan – who spent eight years as an assistant wrestling coach at the school – has repeatedly claimed any suggestion that he was previously aware of the abuse is “fake news.” As I wrote here on Monday, the former wrestlers, who say Jordan knew they were being abused and took no action to stop it, have been slandered repeatedly by the congressman and his reflexive right-wing defenders – including accusations that the former wrestlers are part of either a “deep state” conspiracy or paid for by the Democratic Party to take down the powerful founder of the House Freedom Caucus. President Trump and several members of Congress, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have leapt to Jordan’s defense, claiming he’s just not the kind of guy who would sit idly by while his wrestlers were preyed upon.

On Tuesday, Jordan’s public-relations crisis became a legal nightmare. Attorneys filed a massive class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Ohio on behalf of an as-yet-unnamed former OSU wrestler. The law firm Sauder Schelkopf is seeking to represent all the students and athletes “treated” by Strauss in his two decades at the school, from the late ‘70s to the late ‘90s – a number they estimate will amount to “at least 1,500.”

Jordan, the jut-jawed anti-gay crusader who’s the fourth-ranking Republican leader in the House, is singled out in the suit: He’s one of only three former school officials named, including Strauss, though the action is aimed at all the coaches, administrators and others in positions of responsibility at OSU who, it claims, stood by while students and student-athletes were repeatedly “sexually abused, harassed, and molested,” and “forced” to seek treatment from a well-known predator even after they complained. (Strauss was the sole team doctor for the wrestlers; the men say they either had to choose to let injuries go untreated, as the lawsuit says some did, or subject themselves to yet another assault.)

snip//

In recent public comments on the allegations, Jordan appeared to be banking on his former wrestlers’ silence and shame. But if he believed he could humiliate them back into submission, he was sorely mistaken. At least nine have spoken out so far. Dozens more will almost certainly be telling their stories in criminal and civil court along with Strauss’ hundreds of other alleged victims from 13 Ohio State teams. (A separate lawsuit was filed by four former wrestlers on Monday; this one didn’t call out Jordan by name, but he will almost certainly become involved if the case goes forward.)

Back home, where Jordan’s political future will be determined, local media are determined not to let him slide. “No more denials. Jim Jordan must acknowledge what he knew,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer editorialized this past weekend. Jordan has made it clear, though, that the truth will have to be pried out of him. (He says he is cooperating with independent investigators hired by Ohio State, though what he tells them may never become public.) If either or both of these lawsuits lands him in court, it will be.

[BigmanPigman]

1. Jordan needs to be harassed outside of the office

like they did with McConnell (twice), Miller, Sarah Fuckubee, etc. Make his life miserable at any and all opportunities.

[aquamarina]

2. Hopefully the voters of his

district will finally rid us of this loathsome man.

[muntrv]

3. Sandusky, er Jordan, is going down.

[FakeNoose]

10. So far no one has accused Jordan of abusing the students

Jerry Sandusky was vile and evil; he got away with it for way, way too long. But Jim Jordan is being accused of looking the other way and ignoring someone else's abuse, not doing it himself.

If that changes I'll be sure to come back here and delete this post.

[OilemFirchen]

15. Tell that to (the late) Joe Paterno, Mike McQueary and Tim Curley. (n/t)

[RandomAccess]

20. That's just another form of abuse - slightly lesser MAYBE

The betrayal, in ALL child abuse cases (and these kids were older, but still) is the betrayal of trust. These were people who were supposed to protect me, NOT take advantage of me for their own needs. That's the real heart of the harm.

Jim Jordan abandoned and betrayed them for his own career needs. So what if it wasn't his hands doing the dirty work?

[FakeNoose]

21. Agreed!

[montanacowboy]

4. Republicon

pervert

I hope they get this POS good

[eleny]

5. Excellent

A little justice at work.

[beachbum bob]

6. Hastert got away with it for years as the powerful are protected, then it

All came tumbling down. Jordan is proving to be a POS. Not protecting his players, turning a blind eye. Hopefully Ohioans have a sense of justice

[spanone]

7. a dem would have been hounded out of office weeks ago....by republicans just like jim jordan

Last edited Wed Jul 18, 2018, 05:10 PM - Edit history (1)

[blogslut]

8. Gym. Gym Jordan.

#GymJordan

[yonder]

16. +1. Gym Jordon

[Scurrilous]

9. K&R

[SamKnause]

11. Good.

[aeromanKC]

12. Former OSU now part of the Deep State?

Who'da thunk it!!

[usaf-vet]

13. Sitting back in the bleachers just waiting for the

the take down. Point plaintiffs.

[DoctorJoJo]

14. No Matter the Outcome, Gym Will Always Have Fond Memories ...

... of those soapy shower scenes!

[bucolic_frolic]

17. Hastert Days Are Here Again!

Rejoice! Just in time for Election 2018!

[kairos12]

18. Gym Jordan

[Gothmog]

19. Betty Bowers-It's like Pizzagate. Only true. And bigger. And Republican.

Link to tweet