Rep. Jim Jordan has denied allegations that he ignored widespread sexual abuse of wrestlers whom he coached decades ago at Ohio State University, telling Politico that he would have taken action had he known what was happening.
The Ohio Republican, a former assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University, refuted accusations that he was aware the university's sports physician was molesting student-athletes.
Three former wrestlers who trained under Jordan when he was assistant wrestling coach at the university told NBC News that he had to know about the abuse because it was an open secret.
They said it was common knowledge that the physician, Richard Strauss, would regularly shower with the students and touch them inappropriately during check-ups.
One former wrestler, Dunyasha Yetts, said he told Jordan of a time that Strauss pulled his pants down.
"It's not true," Jordan told Politico. "I never knew about any type of abuse. If I did, I would have done something about it."
In April, Ohio State announced it was investigating the allegations of abuse by Strauss, who died in 2005.
The controversy has erupted during the height of Jordan's political career and just as the House Freedom Caucus co-founder has said he is considering running for speaker when Paul Ryan retires at the end of the term.
But Jordan said he is not worried about the allegations, because "we've got the truth on our side."
A spokesman for Ryan told CNBC that "these are serious allegations and issues. The university has rightfully initiated a full investigation into the matter. The speaker will await the findings of that inquiry."
Both former students who were named in the NBC story have had run-ins with the law or the university.
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