Oral Roberts University Prez Steps Down

Oral's son Richard accused of misusing school funds
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 23, 2007 11:43 PM CST
Oral Roberts University Prez Steps Down
John Swails, his wife, Joy Swails, Paulita Brooker and Tim Brooker, from left, pose for a photo across the street from the large praying hands at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. John Swails and the Brookers all formerly were professors at Oral Roberts University. (AP...   (Associated Press)

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."

One ORU professor called the move "good news for the university," and a former regent who quit due to alleged misspending 20 years ago said the resignation was inevitable. "You can't take the money of God's people and spent it any old way," he said. School regents will meet early next week to decide how to choose a new school president. (More Richard Roberts stories.)

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