Seven former Ohio State University wrestlers are now on the record saying that Rep. Jim Jordan knew about—had to have known about—sexual abuse by team doctor Richard Strauss. And Jordan, after flat denials, has changed his story a little. Now what he’s saying boils down to “it was just locker room talk.” (No wonder Donald Trump has been so enthusiastic about Jordan.) Jordan said on Fox News that:
Conversations in a locker room are a lot different than allegations of abuse or reported abuse to us.
In translation, “I was well aware that the team doctor was groping student-athletes and lingering in the shower with them, but I didn’t think it was abuse.” (Again, Donald Trump’s enthusiasm for Jordan comes into focus.)
Here’s how the latest wrestler to come forward has described Strauss’s behavior:
“He just fondled you a little too long while he gave you a hernia check,” said Range, a Cleveland resident who said he is involved in mixed martial arts. “And then he stayed in the showers, like, an hour until everyone was done.”
And now Jordan’s saying that sure, there were “conversations in the locker room,” but that wasn’t his responsibility to deal with. Even though one man has said that he did go to Jordan and head coach Russ Hellickson to complain. But Republicans continue to stand behind Jordan.