Two More Televangelists Quit ORU Board

Dodgy account used to defraud IRS, renovate ex-president's home

(NEWSER) - Oral Roberts University leaders funneled $1 billion a year from the books for their personal use, a former accountant alleges in a lawsuit. The charges are the latest accusations of financial misdeeds to hit the college, the AP reports. The suit names former president Richard Roberts and his wife as among the defendants. Board members also participated, says the suit, so "the foxes were watching the hen house." More»

Ex-boss of Oral Roberts U: 'He' told me to quit, but vowed 'something supernatural'

(NEWSER) - Oral Roberts University president Richard Roberts told the school's student body yesterday that he didn't want to resign, but God insisted on it. Roberts, son of school founder Oral Roberts, faces a lawsuit accusing him of spending extravagantly while the school was in financial straits. He said God spoke to him on Thanksgiving and ordered him to resign the next day. More»

Oral's son Richard accused of misusing school funds

(NEWSER) - The president of Oral Roberts University resigned today amidst allegations of misusing school funds, the AP reports. Richard Roberts, son of founder Oral, faces a lawsuit claiming he spent university money on a life of luxury—including a $39,000 shopping spree and $29,000 trip to the Bahamas. Roberts has denied the accusations, and said today that he loved the university "with all my heart." More»

Patriarch returns to battle scandal at Oral Roberts U

(NEWSER) - The 89-year-old founder of embattled Oral Roberts University has returned to the school to defend it against allegations of misuse of college funds by his own family members. "The devil is not going to steal" the university, Oral Roberts declared to students and staff at a religious service, as he insisted the accusations are false. More»

(NEWSER) - Richard Roberts, the Oral Roberts University president who is accused of misuse of university funds and illegal involvement in a political campaign, requested and received an indefinite leave of absence from the university's Board of Regents today. The board said a senior pastor will temporarily take over the president's duties, with help from 89-year-old Oral Roberts, who is technically still the school's chancellor but had left day-to-day operations to his 58-year-old son. More»