Former OSU official testified he doesn't believe Rep. Jim Jordan’s denials about Strauss abuse
NBC News
Overall Assessment
The article fairly presents a former official’s testimony questioning Jim Jordan’s denial of awareness about Strauss’s abuse, while including Jordan’s rebuttal and institutional context. It relies on well-attributed sources and avoids sensationalism. A minor truncation error in the final quote slightly weakens completeness.
"Since the release of the Perkins Coie report, OSU and its former president have publicly apolo"
Omission
Headline & Lead 85/100
Headline and lead accurately frame the story as a testimony-based opinion with clear sourcing, avoiding definitive claims while conveying significance.
✓ Balanced Reporting: The headline clearly presents a factual claim from a named source (former OSU official) about Rep. Jim Jordan, without asserting it as proven truth, allowing readers to assess credibility.
"Former OSU official testified he doesn't believe Rep. Jim Jordan’s denials about Strauss abuse"
✓ Proper Attribution: The lead paragraph attributes the claim directly to Andy Geiger’s deposition, specifying it as an opinion, not a fact, which maintains accuracy and avoids overstatement.
"A former Ohio State University athletic director said in a deposition that, in his opinion, Rep. Jim Jordan “probably knew” that campus doctor Richard Strauss was abusing the wrestlers Jordan coached more than two decades ago."
Language & Tone 90/100
Tone remains largely neutral and factual, with minimal editorial slant and fair presentation of conflicting viewpoints.
✓ Balanced Reporting: The article presents Geiger’s skepticism alongside Jordan’s repeated denials and his spokesperson’s statement, ensuring both sides are heard.
"“As has been stated repeatedly, Chairman Jordan never saw or heard of any abuse, and if he had, he would have dealt with it,” Jordan’s spokesperson said via email Tuesday returning a request for comment on Geiger’s testimony."
✕ Editorializing: The phrase 'powerful Republican congressman' subtly introduces political framing that could influence perception, though minimally impactful in context.
"accused the powerful Republican congressman of turning a blind eye"
Balance 95/100
Strong sourcing with diverse, credible voices and transparent attribution enhances reliability and accountability.
✓ Proper Attribution: Each key claim is tied to a named individual or institution with clear role and context (Geiger, Maazel, Perkins Coie, OSU spokesperson).
"Geiger started at the university in 1994, when Jordan was in his final year as the school’s assistant wrestling coach. He served as athletic director until 2005."
✓ Comprehensive Sourcing: The article draws from multiple sources: deposition testimony, investigative report (Perkins Coie), survivor allegations, institutional statements, and prior media reports.
"Perkins Coie also determined that coaches and administrators knew Strauss was abusing male students but failed to stop it."
Completeness 90/100
Rich contextual background is provided, though a technical truncation error undermines full completeness.
✓ Comprehensive Sourcing: The article provides historical context on Strauss’s abuse period, OSU’s response timeline, settlement figures, and prior investigations, giving depth to the issue.
"As of April 15, we have settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million, and we remain actively engaged in mediation"
✕ Omission: The article cuts off mid-sentence in the final quote from OSU: 'Since the release of the Perkins Coie report, OSU and its former president have publicly apolo' — a clear editorial error omitting critical context.
"Since the release of the Perkins Coie report, OSU and its former president have publicly apolo"
Survivors of abuse are portrayed as being validated and institutionally acknowledged
The article details OSU’s settlements with 317 survivors and ongoing mediation efforts, signaling institutional recognition and inclusion of survivors’ claims. This contrasts with past inaction, framing current responses as corrective.
"As of April 15, we have settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million, and we remain actively engaged in mediation"
Jim Jordan is framed as untrustworthy due to disbelief in his denials about awareness of abuse
The article highlights a former official’s testimony that Jordan’s claim of ignorance is 'not credible,' directly challenging his honesty. This is reinforced by attribution to a named source (Geiger) and contextualized with prior reporting.
"“To say that you didn’t know or were totally unaware is not credible,” he said in that article."
Legal process is portrayed as credible and authoritative in investigating past misconduct
The article centers on sworn deposition testimony unsealed by a federal court and references an independent investigation by Perkins Coie, both of which are presented as legitimate mechanisms uncovering truth. This framing reinforces trust in judicial processes.
"Geiger’s July testimony was included, along with other school officials', in thousands of pages of deposition transcripts unsealed Monday in the combined federal civil lawsuit against OSU brought by more than 200 former OSU students who say they were sexually abused by Strauss when they were students, mostly under the guise of physical exams."
Past institutional failure is framed as causing widespread harm to individuals
The article cites the Perkins Coie finding that Strauss abused at least 177 male student-patients and that officials failed to act, emphasizing systemic harm. This framing underscores the negative consequences of inaction.
"Perkins Coie also determined that coaches and administrators knew Strauss was abusing male students but failed to stop it."
Congressional leadership is implicitly framed as compromised due to allegations against a senior member
The focus on Jim Jordan, now chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, raises questions about accountability at high levels of government. His position is noted while allegations of past cover-up persist, suggesting institutional failure.
"Jordan, now chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was OSU’s assistant wrestling coach from 1986 to 1994 during the time when Strauss allegedly abused athletes and other students."
The article fairly presents a former official’s testimony questioning Jim Jordan’s denial of awareness about Strauss’s abuse, while including Jordan’s rebuttal and institutional context. It relies on well-attributed sources and avoids sensationalism. A minor truncation error in the final quote slightly weakens completeness.
In a deposition, former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger stated he finds it implausible that Rep. Jim Jordan, who coached during the period of alleged abuse by team doctor Richard Strauss, was unaware of the misconduct. Jordan denies knowledge, and the university has settled with over 300 survivors. The testimony is part of ongoing litigation, and Jordan’s own deposition remains sealed.
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