Richard Roberts Steps Down from Oral Roberts University, Students Relieved

In the continuing saga of the Oral Roberts University scandal, Richard Roberts and his wife Lindsay Roberts have continuously denied all wrongdoing and allegations made against them. Richard Roberts even specifically refused the possibility of temporarily stepping down from his position as president of ORU when Larry King read the request from an e-mail to him on Tuesday, August 9^th. Today, little more than a week later, Richard Roberts has announced that he will be taking a temporary leave of absence.

Students of Oral Roberts University have been on Fall Break this week, so the announcement was not made to the faculty or student body. In Richard Roberts' official statement, he says: "Today, I have asked the Board of Regents of Oral Roberts University to grant me a temporary leave of absence until such time as these matters can be resolved. I have prayed about it, and feel that it is in the best interest of my family and the University."

The original lawsuit against Richard Roberts, Oral Roberts University, and several high-ranking members of the administration was filed on Tuesday, October 2^nd by three former professors who say they were wrongfully terminated by the University. They say they were wrongfully terminated for refusing to completely comply with Richard Roberts' inappropriate political endorsement in the local mayoral campaign, in order to cover up a sexual harassment charge against one of ORU's administrators, and for presenting a document about "Scandal Liability Assessment" to the school's Board of Regents.

National public attention has focused on the contents of the document that they say was the major cause of their wrongful termination. The document was allegedly prepared by Stephanie Cantese, Lindsay Roberts' sister and reports a very long list of financial abuses of ORU funds for the Roberts' personal use, overlooked theft and vandalism committed by the Roberts' daughters and their friends, and a long list of reports of Lindsay Roberts involvement with an underage male.

The document refers to recorded video and audio tapes, photographs, bills, receipts, and numerous other pieces of evidence for each claim it makes. However, apparently none of this evidence is actually included with the document that the professors received and submitted along with their lawsuit. Stephanie Cantese, who prepared the document, has not made a single comment referring to it.

The original lawsuit included a shortened, edited version of the "Scandal Liability Assessment" which omitted almost all the allegations concerning Lindsay Roberts and potential sexual impropriety. One of the professors involved in the lawsuit consistently said that the most "salacious" claims had been left out because he didn't think ORU would survive if they were included.

After Richard and Lindsay Roberts' continued and complete denial of all wrongdoing in the situation, as well as refusal to state why the professors were fired, the professors revised their lawsuit and released the unedited version of the original "Scandal Liability Assessment" (demonstrating the dyslexia that Lindsay Roberts referred to on Larry King Live) on Friday, October 12^th.

In the unedited version of the document there are countless references to photographs, videotapes, and security logs of Lindsay Roberts and an unnamed underage male alone in her car, spending the night together in a guest house on their mansion complex, and a statement where Lindsay says she "so loves him" and wants him to live with her. However, the document doesn't mention any acts of a specifically sexual nature.

In response, Lindsay Roberts released a statement last Saturday, October 13^th, saying, "I live my life in a morally upright manner and throughout my marriage have never, ever engaged in any sexual behavior with any man outside of my marriage as the accusations imply... Allegations against me in a lawsuit yesterday are not true. They sicken me to my soul."

In Richard Roberts' statement today, Wednesday, October 17^th, he also says: "The last 3 weeks have taken a serious toll on me and my family. The untrue allegations have struck a terrible blow in my heart. The untrue allegations of sexual misconduct by my wife have hurt the most. It has broken her heart and the hearts of my children that such untrue allegations could be made. Lindsay and my children have sustained heavy damage these last weeks. God is very interested in the family unit and so am I..."

"I don't know how long this leave of absence will last, but I fully trust the members of the Board of Regents. They are great men and women who have a deep love for this university and for me and my family. 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."

One week ago on Larry King Live, Richard Roberts nationally stated that there was no reason for him to step aside as President of Oral Roberts University because he has "not done anything wrong for which [he] needed to step aside." So, what has changed that today he's taking the leave of absence that he refused just one week ago?

Last Wednesday, October 10^th, he had Billy Joe Daugherty, pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma speak at ORU's mandatory chapel service. Billy Joe Daugherty was a long-time member of ORU's Board of Regents but he stepped down this past June amidst rumors that Lindsay Roberts wanted him removed and supposedly after Swails and Brookers brought the matter of ORU's inappropriate political maneuvering to his attention.

At last week's chapel service, Richard Roberts announced that he was bringing Billy Joe Daugherty back onto the Board of Regents for unnamed reasons. Billy Joe Daugherty didn't mention the lawsuit, but he appeared purposefully distant and stoic when being addressed by Richard Roberts.

At the end of the chapel service, the chairman of ORU's Board of Regents, George Pearsons, apologized profusely that the Board of Regents let the situation "get this far." He spent five to ten minutes apologizing for the situation and also seemed to physically distance himself from Richard Roberts the longer he apologized.

Between Larry King Live and now, the above-mentioned chapel service has taken place and the original "Scandal Liability Assessment" document has been included in the revised lawsuit. And Richard Roberts has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence from his position as President of Oral Roberts University. He will still be paid and continue to live in ORU-provided housing while on his leave of absence. Billy Joe Daugherty will be in charge of the University while Richard Roberts is gone.

Alumni and student responses on the Tulsa World website are mainly appreciative. Many say they've been "waiting for this to happen" and unlike responses to Tulsa World's first article, many now sound hopeful that the situation will be resolved "either way." However, there are still many alumni and students who are worried that Richard Roberts' temporary removal is not enough.

Finally, I still have a few questions that the Roberts have apparently refused to acknowledge in their many public statements and interviews. First, if Swails and the other professors didn't lose their jobs because of this, then "Why?" Wouldn't that be an easy place to start defending against the allegations since it is the primary allegation in the actual lawsuit?

Next to that, but potentially more damaging, Richard Roberts referred to Stephanie Cantese's document on Larry King Live as "notes from things... that she heard via the rumor mill and she put it in writing. And that's what you're referring to." That wouldn't be too bad if the document that the professors say got them fired was as simple as that - just notes. Unfortunately, the document also refers to a multitude of evidence supporting these supposed "notes from the rumor mill." What does Richard Roberts say about that? We may never know. Now that he's publicly taken a leave of absence, he may also publicly refuse to comment on anything.

However it works out, Richard Roberts temporary leave of absence is at least the beginning of what ORU's supporters and detractors have been asking for. Since his is so intimately involved in the current scandal, it only makes sense that he would distance himself from his official position in order that a proper and thorough investigation can take place. But it will be disappointing if he's only stepping down after all pertinent and "voluminous materials and documents were shredded and destroyed, constituting spoliation of evidence" as the revised lawsuit claims took place. We can only hope there's enough evidence left that the truth will be made known.