Liberty University filed a civil lawsuit against its former president, Jerry Falwell Jr., in Lynchburg Circuit Court on Thursday, seeking millions of dollars in damages after the former leader was ousted from his position following a personal scandal last year.
As reported by The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jerry-falwell-lawsuits-virginia-lynchburg-3b9c8e0c3bf525c79fbd54dc95889c86">Associated Press</a>, the complaint alleges that Falwell created a &#8220;well-resourced exit strategy&#8221; from his position as president and chancellor of Liberty University through a 2019 employment agreement as he kept important information about a scandal in his personal life from the school.
“Despite his clear duties as an executive and officer at Liberty, Falwell Jr. chose personal protection,” the lawsuit says.
It also states that Falwell did not share and address “the issue of his personal impairment by alcohol” and also has not entirely returned Liberty’s confidential information and other personal property, per the AP.
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/jerry-falwell-jr-liberty-university-lawsuit.html">The New York Times</a> reported:
<blockquote>The suit says Falwell “improperly and errantly” told the press he was owed $10.5 million after his departure in August. His severance should have been $2.5 million, or two years’ salary under the higher salary he negotiated in 2019, the suit claims. “Liberty was unsure if Falwell Jr.’s representation to the media was just puffery and bragging or some attempt to set up a claim for additional compensation,” the suit says.</blockquote>
Falwell left Liberty University in August 2020 shortly after a business partner of the family, Giancarlo Granda, came forward and said that he had an affair with Falwell&#8217;s wife, Becki Falwell, and added that Falwell himself was involved. While the Falwells acknowledged that an affair had taken place between Granda and Becki, Jerry Falwell said that he never participated.
In August of last year, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pool-boy-accuses-jerry-falwell-jr-and-wife-of-targeting-him-for-sexual-escapades">The Daily Wire reported:</a>
<blockquote>Giancarlo Granda, 29, told Reuters that his alleged relationship with Falwell and his wife, Becki, began when he was just 20, when he met them while working as a pool boy at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in 2012. Granda said the trysts, which he claims involved Falwell watching as he had sex with his wife, continued until 2018. “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” he said.
Granda reportedly provided Reuters with evidence of the affair, which he said involved the trio getting together “multiple times per year.” Looking back, he also claimed the Falwells’ treatment of him was predatory, saying, “Whether it was immaturity, naïveté, instability, or a combination thereof, it was this ‘mindset’ that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades.” </blockquote>
The school&#8217;s lawsuit states that Falwell had a “fiduciary duty to disclose Granda’s extortive actions, and to disclose the potential for serious harm to Liberty.”
Instead of disclosing this information, Falwell “furthered the conspiracy of silence and negotiated a 2019 Employment Agreement that contained a higher salary from Liberty,” the suit says.
The lawsuit alleges three counts including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and statutory conspiracy. It is seeking over $10 million in damages.
Last year, Jerry Falwell Jr. brought his own defamation lawsuit against Liberty University, claiming that the school was convinced by anti-Trump organizations like the Lincoln Project to push him out of his position.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-falwell-jr-sues-liberty-university-claims-anti-trump-groups-forced-his-resignation">The Daily Wire</a> reported at the time:
<blockquote>“Other than God and my family, there is nothing in the world I love more than Liberty University,” Falwell said, as reported by Washington Examiner columnist Paul Bedard. “I am saddened that University officials, with whom I have shared so much success and enjoyed such positive relationships, jumped to conclusions about the claims made against my character, failed to properly investigate them, and then damaged my reputation following my forced resignation.”</blockquote>
Falwell later dropped his lawsuit and asked a judge in Lynchburg, Virginia, to dismiss the case, as reported by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-falwell-jr-drops-defamation-case-against-liberty-university-for-now">The Daily Wire.</a>
The Associated Press reported that Falwell responded to a phone call from the outlet with a text on Friday saying he was not available to talk. The outlet also left a message seeking comment with an attorney who has represented him previously, but reported it is unclear if he has an attorney representing him on this issue.

747E5BC6-4950-48C8-A229-F56D56B210F8_1_201_a

Report: Liberty University Sues Jerry Falwell, Jr.

Jerry Falwell Jr.

Liberty University

Jerry Falwell Jr., the disgraced former president of Liberty University, has dropped his defamation lawsuit against his former employer.
Falwell resigned in August following the allegations of a former pool boy who alleged he had an affair with Falwell’s wife, Becki, and that Jerry Falwell watched the sexual interactions. In late October, Falwell filed a lawsuit against Liberty University, alleging outside, anti-Trump forces were behind his ouster, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-falwell-jr-sues-liberty-university-claims-anti-trump-groups-forced-his-resignation">reported</a>.
Falwell has now asked a judge in Lynchburg, Virginia, to dismiss the case, a motion that was granted, although Falwell has the option of refiling the lawsuit at a later date, The News &amp; Advance <a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/liberty-university/jerry-falwell-jr-drops-defamation-suit-against-liberty-university/article_f3cbe1f2-5be0-5da0-871c-9b3a8f82af62.html">reported</a> Thursday.
“I’ve decided to take a time out from my litigation against Liberty University, but I will continue to keep all options on the table for an appropriate resolution to the matter,” Falwell told the paper in a statement.
Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/falwell-jr-drops-defamation-liberty-university">reported</a> that there was no indication in court documents as to why Falwell asked to dismiss the complaint. Liberty University told the outlet in a statement that Falwell’s decision to drop the lawsuit “was not prompted by any payments, promises, or other consideration” from his former employer.
“The University’s administration and Board of Trustees are pleased that Falwell has dropped his lawsuit and look forward to pressing onward with the work of Liberty’s President and Chancellor Search Committee to find the new leadership to succeed Falwell,” the university said in a statement.
When Falwell filed his lawsuit in October, he released a statement alleging Liberty took an accuser’s word over his and was persuaded by anti-Trump groups such as the Lincoln Project to force him out. Falwell said his lawsuit would include charges of defamation and breach of contract.
“Other than God and my family, there is nothing in the world I love more than Liberty University,” Falwell said in his statement at the time. “I am saddened that University officials, with whom I have shared so much success and enjoyed such positive relationships, jumped to conclusions about the claims made against my character, failed to properly investigate them, and then damaged my reputation following my forced resignation.”
In August, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pool-boy-accuses-jerry-falwell-jr-and-wife-of-targeting-him-for-sexual-escapades">reported</a> that a former pool boy who worked for Falwell and his wife, Becki, had been in a sexual relationship with the couple for years:
<blockquote>Giancarlo Granda, 29, told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-falwell-relationship/">Reuters</a> that his alleged relationship with Falwell and his wife, Becki, began when he was just 20, when he met them while working as a pool boy at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in 2012. Granda said the trysts, which he claims involved Falwell watching as he had sex with his wife, continued until 2018. “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” he said.
Granda reportedly provided Reuters with evidence of the affair, which he said involved the trio getting together “multiple times per year.” Looking back, he also claimed the Falwells’ treatment of him was predatory, saying, “Whether it was immaturity, naïveté, instability, or a combination thereof, it was this ‘mindset’ that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades.”</blockquote>
Falwell at the time admitted that Granda had an affair with his wife but accused the former pool boy of blackmailing his family. In a statement, Falwell’s attorneys said the claims from Granda damaged Falwell’s reputation.
“These statements had the effect of affirming false claims that an individual made publicly against Mr. Falwell after years-long attempts at extortion against Falwell and his wife Becki. Based on research and investigation, this individual appears to be supported financially by political opponents of Mr. Falwell in the midst of a heated presidential campaign, likely including the anti-Trump political action committee called The Lincoln Project,” the statement said.

Jerry Falwell Jr

Jerry Falwell Jr. Drops Defamation Case Against Liberty University, For Now

Lawsuit

Jerry Falwell Jr., the former president of Liberty University who resigned amid a sex scandal, says he is now suing his former employer, alleging outside, anti-Trump forces were behind his ouster.
Falwell released a statement Thursday alleging Liberty took an accuser’s word over his and was persuaded by anti-Trump groups such as the Lincoln Project to force him out. Falwell said his lawsuit would include charges of defamation and breach of contract.
“Other than God and my family, there is nothing in the world I love more than Liberty University,” Falwell said, as <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/jerry-falwell-sues-liberty-university-for-firing-blames-anti-trump-forces">reported</a> by Washington Examiner columnist Paul Bedard. “I am saddened that University officials, with whom I have shared so much success and enjoyed such positive relationships, jumped to conclusions about the claims made against my character, failed to properly investigate them, and then damaged my reputation following my forced resignation.”
In August, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pool-boy-accuses-jerry-falwell-jr-and-wife-of-targeting-him-for-sexual-escapades">reported</a> that a former pool boy who worked for Falwell and his wife, Becki, had been in a sexual relationship with the couple for years:
Giancarlo Granda, 29, told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-falwell-relationship/">Reuters</a> that his alleged relationship with Falwell and his wife, Becki, began when he was just 20, when he met them while working as a pool boy at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in 2012. Granda said the trysts, which he claims involved Falwell watching as he had sex with his wife, continued until 2018. “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” he said.
Granda reportedly provided Reuters with evidence of the affair, which he said involved the trio getting together “multiple times per year.” Looking back, he also claimed the Falwells’ treatment of him was predatory, saying, “Whether it was immaturity, naïveté, instability, or a combination thereof, it was this ‘mindset’ that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades.”
Falwell admitted in a statement that Granda had an affair with his wife but accused the former pool boy of blackmailing his family.
A statement regarding the lawsuit alleged Liberty’s belief in the allegations hurt Falwell’s reputation, the Examiner reported.
“These statements had the effect of affirming false claims that an individual made publicly against Mr. Falwell after years-long attempts at extortion against Falwell and his wife Becki. Based on research and investigation, this individual appears to be supported financially by political opponents of Mr. Falwell in the midst of a heated presidential campaign, likely including the anti-Trump political action committee called The Lincoln Project,” the statement said.
As Bedard reported, Falwell tried to fight back against the charges, but he was overwhelmed by the media attention, which he said stemmed from his support of President Donald Trump and forced him to resign.
In a statement, Falwell’s attorney, Robert Raskopf, said he and his client had tried to meet with Liberty University but were unable to do so.
“We attempted to meet several times with the Liberty University Board of Trustees Executive Committee but were unsuccessful in doing so. Thus, we were forced to seek remedy for Mr. Falwell’s ongoing injuries and damage to his reputation through the Court,” Raskopf said.

Jerry Falwell Jr. Sues Liberty University, Claims Anti-Trump Groups Forced His Resignation

Sex Scandal

A former student at Liberty University alleged that Jerry Falwell Jr.&#8217;s wife, Becki Falwell, performed oral sex on him at her home in 2008, when he was 22 years old, and aggressively pursued him afterward.
According to photos published Thursday by Politico, Becki Falwell sent flirtatious messages to the student, who reportedly knew her eldest son and went to band camp with him at the Falwell Farm. In one message, she said, &#8220;[Redacted] said that she wants you to cut [your] bangs when you get your hair cut. I think that you are beautiful just like you are,” Becki Falwell wrote in a message sent in September 2008. “You don’t want to cover up those killer eyes of yours and you know the bandana drives me wild … 🙂”
When the student said he was not interested in romantic involvement with her in December 2008, Falwell responded, &#8220;Maybe time will heal whatever wounds that I have caused and your Christian heart will allow you to forgive me.&#8221;
Jerry and Becki Falwell denied the former student’s allegations, telling Politico in a statement, “It is unfortunate that the coverage of our departure has turned into a frenzy of false and fantastic claims about us. These false and mean spirited lies have hurt us and our family greatly and we will respond fully with the truth at an appropriate time. At this time, however, we think it is best to move on and help the Liberty community focus on its very bright future…”
The allegations are the latest against the family of the former evangelical university president, who resigned from his position earlier this week with a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/us/jerry-falwell-jr-resignation-payment/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">$10.5 million severance package</a>. He had earlier been placed on an indefinite leave of absence after his publication of an inappropriate photo of himself with his wife&#8217;s assistants with their pants unzipped.
A former pool boy then alleged that he had been engaged in a years-long affair with the Falwells, and that Falwell would watch while he had sex with his wife. As The Daily Wire reported:
<blockquote>A former business partner of Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. claimed that the embattled evangelical leader and his wife drew him into a sexual relationship that spanned years.
Giancarlo Granda, 29, told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-falwell-relationship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> that his alleged relationship with Falwell and his wife, Becki, began when he was just 20, when he met them while working as a pool boy at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in 2012. Granda said the trysts, which he claims involved Falwell watching as he had sex with his wife, continued until 2018. “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” he said.
Granda reportedly provided Reuters with evidence of the affair, which he said involved the trio getting together “multiple times per year.” Looking back, he also claimed the Falwells’ treatment of him was predatory, saying, “Whether it was immaturity, naïveté, instability, or a combination thereof, it was this ‘mindset’ that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades.”</blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-falwell-jr-reportedly-withdrew-resignation-after-media-reported-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jerry Falwell Jr. Reportedly Withdrew Resignation After Media Reported It</a>

Falwells

Former Liberty University Student Alleges Falwell Wife Aggressively Pursued Him After Performing Sex Act

Politico

After reportedly agreeing to resign from his position as Liberty University president, Jerry Falwell Jr. withdrew his resignation.
In <a href="https://www.liberty.edu/news/2020/08/24/jerry-falwell-jr-agrees-to-resign-as-liberty-universitys-president-then-reverses-course/">a statement</a> released Monday night, the university accused Falwell of instructing his attorneys to “not tender the letter for immediate resignation” after the media reported he had agreed to resign. As Liberty stated, Falwell agreed to resign on the first day of fall classes after additional reports surfaced of his involvement in a sordid affair with his wife and a pool boy.
Those allegations, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pool-boy-accuses-jerry-falwell-jr-and-wife-of-targeting-him-for-sexual-escapades">reported</a>, involved a former pool boy named Giancarlo Granda, 29, who <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-falwell-relationship/">told</a> Reuters that he started having a relationship with Falwell and his wife, Becki, about nine years earlier when he was 20. At the time, Granda said he was working at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel. Until about 2018, Granda would see Becki several times a year to have sex with her while Falwell watched “from the corner of the room.” He provided evidence of the affair to Reuters.
“Whether it was immaturity, naïveté, instability, or a combination thereof, it was this ‘mindset’ that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades,” Granda said.
Falwell claimed in a statement to the Washington Examiner that Granda had an affair with his wife but that he was trying to blackmail Falwell’s family.
Liberty University’s Board of Trustees asked Falwell to take an indefinite leave of absence on August 7 after he briefly posted a photo of himself on a yacht with his wife’s assistant in which they both had their stomachs showing and pants unzipped, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-falwell-jr-takes-indefinite-leave-of-absence-from-liberty-university-after-inappropriate-photo">reported</a> at the time.
“She’s pregnant, so she couldn’t get her pants up,” Falwell said of the photo. “I had on a pair of jeans that I hadn’t worn in a long time, so I couldn’t get mine zipped either. And so, I just put my belly out like hers.” Falwell added that the costumes were “in good fun.”
Around that same time, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/us/falwell-bello-fontainebleau-settlement.html">reported</a> that Falwell paid “an undisclosed sum to a young man who claimed he had been offered an ownership stake in a gay-friendly youth hostel, the Miami Hostel, that Mr. Falwell and his wife, Becki, bought in 2013.”
After news of the fair broke, Liberty’s Executive Committee met and said a conference call “gathering of the full Board was planned” for Tuesday.
“Falwell responded by agreeing to resign immediately as President of Liberty University today but then instructed his attorneys to not tender the letter for immediate resignation. The Executive Committee will go forward with its meeting in the morning followed by the full Board,” the university’s statement said.
Liberty’s acting president Jerry Prevo released a statement saying, “I call upon the University community and supporters to be in prayer for the University and for all its leadership, past, present and future, as we walk with the Lord through this stormy time of transition.”

Jerry Falwell Jr. Reportedly Withdrew Resignation After Media Reported It

Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as president and chancellor of Liberty University on Monday, the same day Reuters published an investigative report alleging that he and his wife Becki were involved in a seven-year sexual affair with a former pool boy and business associate.
Just weeks after he had been placed on an indefinite leave of absence following his publication of an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jerry-falwell-jr-takes-indefinite-leave-of-absence-from-liberty-university-after-inappropriate-photo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inappropriate photo</a> on Instagram, the prominent evangelical leader and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump gave up the reins of power at the flagship Christian college his father founded, according to <a href="https://religionnews.com/2020/08/24/jerry-falwell-resigns-liberty-university-alleged-affair-trump-pool-attendant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Religion News Service</a> (RNS).
As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pool-boy-accuses-jerry-falwell-jr-and-wife-of-targeting-him-for-sexual-escapades" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a>:
<blockquote>Giancarlo Granda, 29, told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-falwell-relationship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reuters</a> that his alleged relationship with Falwell and his wife, Becki, began when he was just 20, when he met them while working as a pool boy at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in 2012. Granda said the trysts, which he claims involved Falwell watching as he had sex with his wife, continued until 2018. “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” he said.
Granda reportedly provided Reuters with evidence of the affair, which he said involved the trio getting together “multiple times per year.” Looking back, he also claimed the Falwells’ treatment of him was predatory, saying, “Whether it was immaturity, naïveté, instability, or a combination thereof, it was this ‘mindset’ that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades.”</blockquote>
In a lengthy statement given to the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/exclusive-falwell-says-fatal-attraction-threat-led-to-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Washington Examiner</a> on Sunday night, Falwell admitted Granda had an affair with his wife but claimed the former pool boy was trying to blackmail his family. Falwell told RNS that he had no comment beyond the statement he gave to the Examiner.
A group of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/50-pastors-who-attended-liberty-university-call-for-jerry-falwell-jr-to-be-permanently-removed" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">50 pastors</a> who attended Liberty asked the board of trustees last week to &#8220;permanently remove&#8221; Falwell from a position of leadership, following the Instagram photo and other things he had done that they found shameful. They claimed Falwell &#8220;has also embarrassed the many alumni that work hard in our community to not only uphold the reputation of the university but to uphold a positive witness for the name of Christ.”
Pastor Colby Garman of Pillar Church in Dumfries, Virginia, who was among those who signed the letter, lamented the situation on Twitter, writing, &#8220;The past 24 hours of news related to Liberty University and Jerry Falwell Jr. and his family is sad. Whatever portion of it is true it is a reminder of just how deeply entangling sin can become and our deep need for genuine spiritual renewal from Christ each and every day.&#8221;
&#8220;As I have said before, it will be best for the school to make a permanent leadership change immediately and allow the Falwell family to work out these matters in private,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Prayers for all involved.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As I have said before, it will be best for the school to make a permanent leadership change immediately and allow the Falwell family to work out these matters in private. Prayers for all involved.
&mdash; Colby Garman (@ColbyGarman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColbyGarman/status/1297956418788757504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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UPDATE: Jerry Falwell Jr. has since disputed his resignation from Liberty University, according to multiple sources. Politico reporter Maggie Severns claimed Monday night, &#8220;Jerry Falwell Jr. tells me he is NOT leaving his post, despite indications from Liberty that he will do so. &#8216;I have not resigned,&#8217; Falwell says.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
New: Jerry Falwell Jr. tells me he is NOT leaving his post, despite indications from Liberty that he will do so. &quot;I have not resigned,&quot; Falwell says.
&mdash; Maggie Severns (@MaggieSeverns) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaggieSeverns/status/1298032516813783043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-pool-boy-accuses-jerry-falwell-jr-and-wife-of-targeting-him-for-sexual-escapades" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Former Pool Boy Accuses Jerry Falwell Jr. And Wife Of Targeting Him For ‘Sexual Escapades’</a>