Evangelical University President Falwell Resigns Over Sex Scandal Allegations
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – The leading evangelical college in the United States, Liberty University, says it has accepted the resignation of its embattled president Jerry Falwell Jr. over alleged sexual relations that are not in line with the institute`s teaching.
He resigned amid conflicting claims about a sexual relationship his wife had with a younger business partner in which he reportedly participated as a voyeur.
Falwell’s exit marks a fall from power for one of the nation’s most visible evangelical leaders and supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He was already put on leave after sharing a photo of himself with his trousers unzipped. Liberty University has strict dress codes and expects men and women to dress modestly.
Falwell, 58, has denied wrongdoing but said in published remarks that he did not “want something my wife did to harm the school I’ve spent my whole life building.”
He added in an interview: “I never broke a single rule that applies to staff members at Liberty, which I was. So I want everybody to know that.”
ASKING FORGIVENESS
The university confirmed in a statement that its board had accepted Falwell’s resignation as president, chancellor, and board member. All were effective immediately, it stressed.
Becki Falwell told reporters that she and her husband are “more in love than ever.”We have the strongest relationship, and Jerry is the most forgiving person I’ve ever met,” she said.
His wife pleaded for forgiveness for what Liberty University viewed as improper behavior. “It’s a shame that Christians can’t give us the same forgiveness that Christ gave us.”
The latest controversy began to unfold late Sunday when The Washington Examiner newspaper published a lengthy statement from Falwell disclosing that his wife had an extramarital affair.
He claimed the man involved had been threatening to reveal the relationship “to deliberately embarrass my wife, family, and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies.”
Falwell took over at the college in 2007 after the death of his father, Jerry Falwell.
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