Paul Ryan ‘will await the findings’ of Jim Jordan investigation

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) reiterated through a spokesman on Friday that he is still awaiting an investigation to be completed over allegations that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) knew about claims of sexual abuse involving the Ohio State University wrestling team.

“These are serious allegations and issues,” Ryan’s spokesman Doug Andres told USA Today in an email. “The university has rightfully initiated a full investigation into the matter. The speaker will await the findings of that inquiry.”

Ryan’s office had released the statement earlier this week amid the July 4 recess, but reiterated his position after more former wrestlers at Ohio State accused Jordan, a leader of the House Freedom Caucus, of knowing about alleged sexual abuse by the team doctor and not taking action.

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman on Thursday became fifth former OSU wrestler to accuse Jordan of not taking action while serving as an assistant coach, saying that unless Jordan has “dementia” he knew about the alleged abuse. 

“There’s no way unless he’s got dementia or something that he’s got no recollection of what was going on at Ohio State,” Coleman said. “I have nothing but respect for this man, I love this man, but he knew as far as I’m concerned.”

One of Jordan’s former wrestlers, Dunyasha Yetts, came forward this week and said that he and his teammates personally complained to Jordan and others about a team doctor’s inappropriate sexual behavior many times. 

Jordan pushed back strongly against the accusations in a Fox News interview Friday night, arguing that conversations in the locker room did not amount to formal accusations and saying that no one directly reported abuse to him.

“Conversations in a locker room are a lot different than allegations of abuse or reported abuse,” Jordan said Friday, adding that “no one ever reported any abuse to me.”

Jordan, who is preparing a bid to succeed Ryan as Speaker, called the timing of the claims “suspect” in the interview and has pushed back against the credibility of his accusers.

President Trump said Thursday that he “100 percent” believes Jordan.