This undated file photo shows a photo of Dr Richard Strauss, an Ohio State University team doctor who was allegedly responsible for a string of serious sexual assaults over two decades
One of Donald Trump’s most vocal Republican defenders has been accused of ignoring sex abuse of students for the second time.
Jim Jordan was informed of a disgraced doctor performing a sex act on himself in front of a student after a college wrestling match, a lawsuit against Ohio State University where the congressman was then a wrestling coach alleges.
The referee, identified in documents as John Doe 42, is the second person to come forward to accuse Jordan, who was assistant coach at the time, of having prior knowledge of the abuse committed by Dr Richard Strauss.
Jordan has become one of the most prominent Republicans in the impeachment inquiry, aggressively questioning witnesses in closed-door depositions, advocating for the president’s innocence and complaining that the process is unfair.
The law suit comes after investigators in May revealed that they had found evidence of Strauss sexually assaulting 177 male athletes at Ohio State University over the course of 20 years.
The lawsuit says that the referee saw Strauss masturbating in front of a student in a shower after a wrestling match in 1994.
When the referee told Jordan and then head coach Russ Hellickson, they replied: ‘Yeah, that’s Strauss,’ the referee alleges.
‘It was common knowledge what Strauss was doing so the attitude was it is what it is,’ the unnamed referee told NBC News.
‘I wish Jim, and Russ, too, would stand up and do the right thing and admit they knew what Strauss was doing, because everybody knew what he was doing to the wrestlers. What was a shock to me is that Strauss tried to do that to me. He was breaking new ground by going after a ref.’
Jordan’s spokesman did not comment to NBC News. Republicans are planning to put him on the House Intelligence Committee in plan for the open impeachment hearings so he can be an aggressive face of the party’s defense of the president.
An unnamed referee for the wrestling team at the university has alleged that Rep. Jim Jordan, pictured here at Capitol Hill on Wednesday, knew about the doctor’s ongoing abuse and did nothing to stop it
Back in May, OSU offered a public apology after an investigation found Dr Strauss sexually abused at least 177 young men while he was employed with the university. Pictured: File photo of OSU campus sign
Dr Strauss, pictured, worked at Ohio State University between 1978 and 1998. He committed suicide in 2005 before his abuse came to light
The lawsuit has been brought forward by 43 survivors of Strauss against Ohio State for a culture of ‘indifference’, which they say caused sexual abuse to go on unchecked.
The first person to accuse Jordan of prior knowledge was a wrestler who said Strauss pulled down his pants after he sought medical advice for a thumb injury.
The doctor, who killed himself in 2005, allegedly drugged and raped male athletes from half a dozen sports teams.
The documents also allege that he assaulted younger boys who attended the college for sporting events.
One underage boy was threatened with a surgical knife and molested when he passed due to the fear, the lawsuit said.
An Ohio State spokesman said that the university is working to expose Strauss’ behavior and is offering funds for counselling for those who fell victim to the doctor.
The independent investigation from May detailed the ‘culture’ at play at the university.
‘Students openly discussed Strauss’ examination methods or complained about his loitering presence in the shower and locker room, including in front of coaches and other Athletics Department staff,’ the 180-page report stated.
‘Many of the students felt that Strauss’ behavior was an “open secret,” as it appeared to them that their coaches, trainers and other team physicians were fully aware of Strauss’ activities, and yet few seemed inclined to do anything to stop it.’