Multiple former Ohio State wrestlers have accused Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and former Ohio State wrestling coach, of being among the faculty members who ignored inappropriate behavior by the physician, Richard Strauss. | John Minchillo/AP Photo Education Department investigates sex abuse scandal amid Jordan allegations

The Education Department's Office for Civil rights is investigating how Ohio State University officials handled complaints against a former university doctor accused of sexually abusing athletes, in a case that's also drawn allegations that a Republican congressman turned a blind eye as Ohio State wrestling coach.

Multiple former Ohio State wrestlers have accused Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and former Ohio State wrestling coach, of being among the faculty members who ignored inappropriate behavior by the physician, Richard Strauss. Jordan, a leader of the House Freedom Caucus has denied those allegations, saying: "I never knew about any type of abuse ... If I did, I would have done something about it."


The Education Department confirmed the inquiry on Thursday. "I can confirm that in light of recent allegations made by former students concerning sexual abuse by former athletic team doctor Richard Strauss, OCR initiated a directed investigation on August 8, 2018," Education Department spokeswoman Liz Hill said.

"This new Title IX investigation will examine the University's handling of reports of sex-based incidents involving Dr. Strauss, including allegations that University employees knew or should have known about the sexual misconduct and allowed the abuse to continue."

The federal probe was first reported by cleveland.com.

The department did not announce the Ohio State investigation widely, as it has with other recent higher education scandals involving sexual abuse by doctors at Michigan State University and the University of Southern California. Hill did not say why.

At Ohio State, Strauss, who worked at the university for 20 years and died in 2005, allegedly preyed on male students during physicals.