Oral Roberts U President Takes Leave of Absence

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. (More Richard Roberts stories.)