Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Oral Roberts U President Takes Leave of Absence

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 17, 2007 10:44 PM CDT
Email

(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.

"I pray and believe that in God's timing, and when the Board feels that it is appropriate, I will be back at my post as president," said the younger Roberts. A lawsuit filed by three ex-professors accuses Roberts of spending donors' funds on lavish personal expenses and illegal involvement in a political campaign, which could cost the university its tax exemption. His wife Lindsay is alleged to have carried on a relationship with an underaged male. Roberts denies all allegations.

A campus security car stops below the large praying hands at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts, says God is speaking again, telling him to deny lurid allegations in a lawsuit that threatens to engulf this 44-year-old Bible Belt...
A campus security car stops below the large praying hands at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts, says God is speaking again,...   (Associated Press)
The prayer tower at Oral Roberts University is seen in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts, says God is speaking again, telling him to deny lurid allegations in a lawsuit that threatens to engulf this 44-year-old Bible Belt college in scandal. (AP Photo)
The prayer tower at Oral Roberts University is seen in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts, says God is speaking again, telling him to deny lurid allegations...   (Associated Press)
Richard Roberts, president and chief executive officer of Oral Roberts University, is shown in Tulsa, Okla, in this Sept. 30, 2004, file photo. Roberts asked the school's board of regents Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 for a temporary leave of absence, three weeks after a lawsuit accused his family of lavish...
Richard Roberts, president and chief executive officer of Oral Roberts University, is shown in Tulsa, Okla, in this Sept. 30, 2004, file photo. Roberts asked the school's board of regents Wednesday, Oct....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Lindsay Roberts denies spending the night with underage men
UPI International

ORU was warned about potential tax problems
KOTV.com

ORU alums urged to withhold judgment
Tulsa World

View the lawsuit and other documents here
Tulsa World

US

 
Christians • Oral Roberts University • Richard Roberts • Lindsay Roberts • Oral Roberts • scandal

More Newser Stories

Lawsuit: ORU Leaders Stole $1B a Year

Two More Televangelists Quit ORU Board

God to Roberts: You're Fired!

Oral Roberts University Prez Steps Down

Roberts: Devil Won't Get School
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne