Court moves toward giving more time to a former account and former student more time even though dis- missing some of the claims against Oral Roberts University and its board of regents.
Former ORU accountant Trent Huddleston has sued the university and regents, claiming that he was forced to break tax laws or lose his job. He alleges that more than $1 billion annually was funneled through the university and possibly given to regents. He also alleges that former ORU President Richard Roberts and his wife, Lindsay Roberts, misspent university money to support a lavish lifestyle.
Tim and Paulita Brooker, two former ORU professors,also have sued ORU and its governing body, claiming wrongful termination. Tim Brooker says he was fired after giving regents a copy of a report that alleged misdeeds by Richard Roberts.
ORU repeatedly has denied these claims. Richard Roberts resigned in November, and the university is conducting a search for a new president.
In court Friday, attorney Robert Fitz-Patrick criticized the plaintiffs' claims by saying, "All of the allegations are just part of an effort to smear the Robertses".
Attorneys for ORU, the regents and the Robertses won technical legal arguments Friday regarding Huddleston's claims of negligence, civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and wrongful discharge.
His attorneys have two more weeks to file amended petitions to attempt to persuade the court not to dismiss the claims completely. Huddleston also is suing for fraud, and his attorneys will also file more details to substantiate that claim.
Immediately after the accountant's hearing, Tulsa County District Judge Michael Gassett heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by former ORU student David Brown, who alleges that he was not able to complete his history degree with a concentration in Middle East studies after one of his professors was fired.
That professor, John Swails, originally was part of the Brooker lawsuit but has settled his part of the suit and rejoined ORU's faculty.
The judge also allowed them more time to reargue claims of civil conspiracy and interference with a business relationship in Brown's case. Brown also is suing for fraud and breach of contract.
Christian Web News - Jesus has a way of getting right to the point, doesn't He? There was certainly no mincing of words, He came right out and said, "why are you fearful?" and then went on to say, "O you of little faith." You don't have to read between the lines to see what He was saying, they had little faith.
Christian Web News - Galatians 3:13-14. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree''), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Court moves toward giving more time to a former account and former student more time even though dis- missing some of the claims against Oral Roberts University and its board of regents.
