A former Ohio State University wrestler is recanting his claims that Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan knew of sexual abuse allegations against a university physician when he coached wrestling at the school over 20 years ago.
“At no time did I ever say or have any direct knowledge that Jim Jordan knew of Dr. Richard Strauss’s inappropriate behavior,” Mark Coleman, a former MMA fighter who wrestled at Ohio State when Jordan coached there, said in a statement.
“I have nothing but respect for Jim Jordan as I have known him for more than 30 years and know him to be of impeccable character.”
Coleman is the first former OSU wrestler to recant his claims that Jordan knew about sexual abuse at the hands of Dr. Richard Strauss, an OSU physician accused of molesting dozens of student-athletes.
Mark Coleman before Coach Hellickson made texts and calls to other accusers asking them to recant…
“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.”
Mark Coleman a week after Hellickson’s contacted other accusers asking the to recant…
"At no time did I ever say or have any direct knowledge that Jim Jordan knew of Dr. Richard Strauss’s inappropriate behavior,” Mark Coleman, a former MMA fighter who wrestled at Ohio State when Jordan coached there, said in a statement.
And he’s making it clear now that he doesn’t believe Jordan knew. That is called recanting his previous statement and offering a positive statement of support and respect for Jordan as well.
I read it and you seem desperate to claim he’s not recanting when he clearly is.
“Mike DiSabato and his PR representative have released information and made statements publicly without my authorization and, in my opinion, are using them to exploit and embarrass The Ohio State University,” Coleman said in his statement. (RELATED: Jim Jordan Accusers Have Sketchy History, Raising Questions About Their ‘Authenticity’)
“I am distancing myself from Mike DiSabato as he is not my manager and does not speak for me. I am also disappointed with many of the public statements made by Mr. DiSabato and his personal attacks on individuals employed by the university and others.”
Though Coleman is backtracking from his claims against Jordan, he maintains that he was a victim of Strauss’s.
He hasn’t recanted, or changed his story. He’s complaining that his quote has been misrepresented. He never said Jordan knew, he said there’s no way Jordan couldn’t have known. Those are two very different things.
If I say someone had to have / must have known something, it’s speculative.
Saying someone did know is definitive. Coleman never made that definitive statement, he’s complaining here that his statement was misinterpreted, he hasn’t taken anything back.
“I was angry and said words that I shouldn’t have said,” Coleman said. “He may have known about some locker room banter because we did joke about it in the locker room, but I don’t know of anyone ever reporting it to Jim Jordan directly.”
Coleman spoke to CNN on the phone. He did not want to appear on camera.
“I’m clarifying (the earlier statement) because it’s been on my mind for a long time and I feel guilty that this happened, and I wanted to clarify it,” he said. “Not change it. I said what I said.”"
