Ohio
Rep. Jim Jordan’s Speakership Bid Raises New Criticism He Covered Up Sexual Abuse At Ohio State—Here’s What To Know
Topline
Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) campaign to become the next House speaker has cast a new spotlight on allegations that he ignored accusations while serving as an Ohio State assistant wrestling coach against a school doctor who sexually abused hundreds of students during his tenure at the school in the mid-1970s through the late 1990s.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, leaves a House Republican Conference candidate forum for speaker meeting in … [+]
Key Facts
Four former Ohio State University wrestlers, who are among the hundreds of students who said they were abused by school doctor Richard Strauss, spoke out against Jordan’s speakership bid in interviews with NBC News as Jordan is vying to fill the vacancy left when the House voted to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as speaker last week.
A university-commissioned investigation found in 2019 that Strauss, who died in 2005, sexually abused hundreds of male students during his tenure at the university and concluded that multiple university officials knew about the allegations, described by many students interviewed by investigators as an open secret.
One of the wrestlers who spoke to NBC, Dunyasha Yetts—who is among the hundreds of students who sued the university for failing to stop the abuse— has spoken out previously against Jordan, telling CNN in 2020 he raised concerns about Strauss with Jordan and then-head wrestling coach Russ Hellickson in 1992.
“He doesn’t deserve to be House speaker,” Yetts told NBC, adding “he still has to answer for what happened to us.”
Yetts is among six students who told CNN in 2020 they either complained to Jordan directly about the abuse or witnessed other students telling Jordan about Strauss’ conduct when Jordan worked as an assistant wrestling coach from 1986 through 1994.
Jordan, who was not named in the 2019 report, has repeatedly denied any prior knowledge of the allegations since they became public in 2018.
Tangent
One of the former students who spoke to CNN in 2020, Tito Vazquez, said he confided in Jordan directly after Strauss insisted on examining his genitals when he went to see him for a bloody nose. Vazquez told CNN Jordan dismissed his concerns, telling him “I have nothing to do with this.” Two other former wrestlers, Dan Ritchie and Mike Flusche, told the network they remember Jordan saying he would break Strauss’ neck if he attempted to abuse him. Yetts said Jordan also responded to his complaints by saying he would physically retaliate against Strauss if he were put in a similar situation.
Contra
Jordan has repeatedly denied any knowledge of the abuse during his time at Ohio State, telling CNN in 2020 “the idea that I wouldn’t stand up for these athletes is ridiculous” while suggesting they were bringing the claims now in a bid to secure settlements. Hellickson has also defended Jordan and told CNN it’s possible Jordan wasn’t aware of any allegations.
Key Background
An outside law firm, Perkins Cole, hired by the university to investigate the allegations, published a report in 2019 that found Strauss abused at least 177 male students between 1979 and 1997 at his on- and off-campus clinics. The university apologized for Strauss’ conduct following the report’s release, and it has reached over $60 million in settlements with more than 250 alleged victims. Strauss was fired by the university in 1996 following an internal investigation into the abuse allegations, but he was kept on as tenured faculty and set up an off-campus clinic where he allegedly continued the abuse, according to the report. He was eventually allowed to retire with distinguished emeritus status.
What To Watch For
House Republicans are expected to nominate a candidate for speaker in a closed-door meeting Wednesday ahead of a formal election expected to take place later this week. Jordan is running against Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and is the preferred candidate among those on the far-right. Jordan is a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed his speakership bid. He is also spearheading various GOP-led investigations into President Joe Biden as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Even if Scalise secures the Republican nomination, Jordan could still be nominated during the formal election process if Scalise fails to secure the majority votes needed to win on the House floor.
Further Reading
Jim Jordan—Trump Ally, One Of Congress’s Most Conservative—Wants To Be Speaker. Here’s What You Need To Know About Him. (Forbes)
Jim Jordan Running For House Speaker After McCarthy’s Ouster—Likely Against Scalise (Forbes)
Trump Endorses Rep. Jim Jordan For House Speaker After McCarthy Ouster (Forbes)
Former Purdue tight end Max Klare has committed to transfer to Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes a difference-maker at that position for 2025.
Klare caught 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns this season for Purdue. He was the leading receiver in all three categories for the Boilermakers, who were winless in the Big Ten and fired coach Ryan Walters.
Klare finished sixth nationally in receiving yards among tight ends.
Klare was ranked the top available tight end in the NCAA transfer portal by ESPN and the No. 20 player overall. Texas, Michigan, Louisville and Texas A&M were reportedly other programs that pursued him.
Klare will have two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-4, 240-pounder is from Guilford, Indiana, near Cincinnati. He attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.
He is the third transfer addition of the day for Ohio State, following West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson and Idaho State defensive end Logan George.
Why TE Max Klare picked Ohio State from transfer portal
Klare told ESPN that Ohio State’s status as an elite program and ability to develop him further were major reasons for his decision.
“Really, when it came down to making the decision, coach Day’s ability to develop players and send them off to the NFL, the development process was huge for me,” he told ESPN.
“Just an opportunity to win a national championship and develop into a better player and play against the best competition, day-in and day-out (appealed to me), and being around a lot of like-minded individuals that are going to push me to be my best.”
How CFP fans (probably) reacted to the first round games
After the CFP first round, Before The Snap shares a sketch take on who made it to the quarterfinals.
How Max Klare will fit with Ohio State football’s roster
Klare is the front-runner to start for Ohio State next year. Starter Gee Scott Jr.’s eligibility expires, as does Will Kacmarek’s. Kacmarek is an Ohio University transfer who has been a significant role player.
The Buckeyes still have Jelani Thurman, a promising but inconsistent sophomore, and Bennett Christian, who’s more of a blocker.
Klare and Thurman could give the Buckeyes a strong receiving element from the tight end position that they lacked this year following Cade Stover’s graduation.
According to the Indianapolis Star, Klare accounted for almost 32% of Purdue’s pass plays that gained 10 or more yards.
Ohio State football transfer targets
The Buckeyes remain in the mix for Rice offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa, according to multiple reports.
When does transfer portal close?
The portal closes on Dec. 28 or five days following a team’s last postseason game.
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jack Sawyer ran from a postgame interview when he heard the opening notes of “Carmen Ohio” coming from the Ohio State band.
The local product didn’t want to miss a second of the postgame tradition.
Emeka Egbuka gazed at the Ohio Stadium seats as he slowly turned in a circle.
The senior receiver who always took his role in stride amid a collection of spectacular talent at the position wanted to take it all in one final time.
Donovan Jackson had his arms around fellow offensive linemen as they posed for a photo with Will Howard.
The once-highly-rated offensive tackle wanted to be part of a captured moment with those who helped him keep the quarterback upright despite brutal injury luck in the trenches.
Those were among the late-night moments inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday as members of the Buckeyes’ senior class celebrated a College Football Playoff first-round win against Tennessee.
A group once ranked among the best in the storied program’s history that hasn’t achieved many of its goal — capped by an ugly postgame scene following a Nov. 30 loss against Michigan — got a second chance to leave its home field on a better note.
They took advantage, dominating the Vols en route to a 28-point victory.
The first step in rewriting, or at least improving, a legacy was complete.
“It means everything to me,” Sawyer said. “When we saw we got another home game against a team like that coming in here, I knew it was going to be awesome.”
Ohio State’s seniors nearly left on an ugly note
Ohio State coach Ryan Day establishes the program’s standard with three goals each year: Beat Michigan, win the Big Ten and claim a national title.
When the 2021 recruiting class arrived, it was supposed to start a run of consistently reaching those accomplishments. So far, the Buckeyes’ senior class is 0-for-11 and the lasting memory was lined up to be an ugly one.
Before Sawyer was running to sing with teammates on Saturday, the final image of him at Ohio Stadium was one of anger and disappointment.
Ohio State was a heavy favorite against Michigan this year, suggesting a three-game skid in the rivalry would finally end.
Instead, the Wolverines pulled off the upset and tried planting a flag at midfield. It led to Sawyer and many of his teammates taking offense, sparking fights that saw law enforcement get involved.
Despite a stellar outing from Sawyer, including a spectacular interception, that was going to be the lasting image.
“I could’ve had a million sacks, but we lost the game,” Sawyer said Saturday. “That’s all that matters to me. Everything (about) the way the game ended motivated us to come into this week like this.”
The new College Football Playoff allows narratives to change
The Michigan loss would’ve been it for players such as Egbuka, Sawyer and Jackson last year. At 10-2, Ohio State’s season would’ve ended in a underwhelming bowl game after immense expectations.
The new 12-team College Football Playoff has brought change, allowing additional opportunities to shift narratives.
Perhaps no group in the country could benefit more than Ohio State’s seniors.
“I think it’s awesome,” Sawyer said. “The 12-team playoff, I think it’s great. It gives teams a chance that you wouldn’t have got a chance in years previous.”
There’s a cliché in baseball when a hitter is going through a slump. If they’re hitless in 11 consecutive at-bats, you tell yourself that they’re due.
Statistically, there’s no such thing. You’re likelihood to get a hit in that 12th at-bat is the same as any other, but the belief still exists that the longer the drought continues, the sooner it is to end.
Ohio State’s seniors are on at-bat No. 12: Winning a national title.
Maybe the win vs. Tennessee proved they’re due to change how they’re remembered.
“It is a new season,” Sawyer said. “It’s a new season every week. It’s win-or-go-home. It’s the NFL playoffs now. That’s been our mindset.”
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2024, results for each game:
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 1-5-0
Evening: 9-0-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 4-6-7-5
Evening: 8-9-5-9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 6-8-2-3-8
Evening: 9-9-8-2-8
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
06-26-27-36-37
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lucky For Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.
04-07-37-43-47, Lucky Ball: 08
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
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