Scandal Rocks ORU

Stories

11 Stories

February 2008
- Lawsuit: ORU Leaders Stole $1B a Year
  
  Associated Press | Feb 8, 08 9:06 AM CST
  
  (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 »
January 2008
- ORU gets checks for $62 million
  
  Tulsa World | Jan 31, 08
  
  The Green family%u2019s donation signals acceptance of its deal with the university. The response was immediate and enthusiastic on Wednesday when Mart Green handed Oral Roberts University Trustee Scott Howard three checks totaling $62 million. Students and employees at ORU%u2019s regular chapel service quickly rose, cheering and clapping in appreciation.
- Two More Televangelists Quit ORU Board
  
  Associated Press | Jan 11, 08 6:31 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Two more televangelists have stepped down from the board of regents of Oral Roberts University, under pressure from a congressional probe into misuse of funds. Benny Hinn and IV Hilliard are two of six preachers under investigation for living lavishly on their congregations' dime and violating their ministries' tax-exempt status. More »
- 1 of 3 Fired Professors at Oral Roberts U. Gets His Job Back
  
  Chronicle of Higher Education | Jan 11, 08
  
  A professor who had sued Oral Roberts University for wrongful termination got his job back on Thursday, the Tulsa World reported today.
November 2007
- God to Roberts: You're Fired!
  
  Associated Press | Nov 29, 07 4:14 AM CST
  
  (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 Roberts University Prez Steps Down
  
  Associated Press | Nov 23, 07 11:43 PM CST
  
  (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 »
- Lawmaker Probes TV Preachers
  
  Associated Press | Nov 7, 07 8:18 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - A top Republican lawmaker is probing six televangelists who have put their opulent lifestyles on display, the AP reports. Rolls Royces, private jets, and a $30,000 table are among the luxuries that sparked Sen. Chuck Grassley's inquiry, he said yesterday. "I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but people who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code." More »
October 2007
- Roberts: Devil Won't Get School
  
  Tulsa World | Oct 23, 07 3:38 AM CDT
  
  (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 »
- Oral Roberts U President Takes Leave of Absence
  
  Associated Press | Oct 17, 07 10:44 PM CDT
  
  (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 »
- Roberts U. President and Wife Face New Allegations
  
  CNN | Oct 15, 07 7:58 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - In an updated lawsuit, three ex-profs accuse the president of Oral Roberts University and his wife of improper behavior ranging from dalliances with an underage male to document shredding, CNN reports. The suit , which earlier accused the couple of misusing university funds, now accuses Richard Roberts' wife LIndsay of spending the night at a guest house on campus "with an underage male on nine separate occasions." More »
- Scandal Rocks Oral Roberts U.
  
  Associated Press | Oct 5, 07 5:53 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Oral Roberts University is embroiled in allegations of financial misdeeds by president Richard Roberts, who stands accused of going on spending sprees with donors' money and illegally using university resources to aid a political campaign, the AP reports. Three former professors who filed suit this week say they were fired for attempting to expose the indulgences. More »