Ginni Thomas: ‘False’ claims aimed at Jordan ‘because he threatens the elite’

The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday blasted the “false accusations” that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) knew of sexual abuse while he was an Ohio State wrestling coach, saying that allegations are being made up because Jordan “threatens the elite.”

“Jim Jordan is under attack, with false accusations, because he threatens the elite,” Ginni Thomas wrote on Facebook with an accompanying video of Jordan denying the accusations on Fox News. 

In total, seven Ohio State wrestlers have come out and said that Jordan knew of sexual abuse by athletic doctor Richard Strauss taking place. Former wrestler David Range told The Washington Post that Jordan must have known because it happened regularly and was often discussed. Jordan was a wrestling coach at Ohio State from 1987 to 1995. 

{mosads}In the video that Thomas shares, Jordan describes the allegations as “false.” He also called the timing of the claims “suspect,” as he’s currently considering his bid to become the next House Speaker.

“Jordan definitely knew that these things were happening — yes, most definitely,” Range told the newspaper. “It was there. He knew about it because it was an everyday occurrence.”

Range said Jordan was in the locker room when conversations focused on sexual abuse would take place. But he also said that he was unaware if any formal reports regarding it were made. 

Jordan contended last week that “conversations in a locker room are a lot different than allegations of abuse or reported abuse,” adding that “no one ever reported any abuse to me.”

Jordan has also claimed that Mike DiSabato, one of the people who has accused Jordan of knowing about sexual abuse, has a “vendetta” against him and the university. 

In addition, the Post reported on Sunday that several members of the Ohio State wrestling team who were there while Jordan was a coach have defended him. They said they believed his denials.

On Monday, six former Ohio State coaches issued a joint statement defending Jordan.