More than 100 former Ohio State University (OSU) students have given the university first-hand accounts of sexual misconduct by a team doctor accused of sexually abusing students, The Associated Press reported Friday.
Ohio State has received allegations about the late doctor, Richard Strauss, which involved male athletes from 14 sports, as well as other students, according to the AP report. Strauss died in 2005.
University President Michael Drake said that more than 200 former students and university employees have been interviewed as part of the investigation, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
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Several former wrestlers have claimed that Jordan was aware of the alleged abuse taking place at the time, but failed to take action. Jordan was the assistant coach for the Ohio State mens’ wrestling team.
Jordan has denied the allegations, saying he was unaware of the alleged abuse and that he would have acted if he did know.
One of the former wrestlers, Mike DiSabato, sought compensation from OSU last month and said he would “pursue other avenues toward resolution” if he could not meet with university representatives to discuss a potential settlement for the victims, according to an email obtained by The Hill.
More than a dozen other wrestlers and former coaches have rallied to Jordan’s defense, saying he was unaware of Strauss’s alleged abuse.
A group of the former Ohio State wrestlers sued the university on Monday for allegedly failing to protect athletes from the sexual abuse.