 A former Oral Roberts University accountant brought a civil lawsuit with accusations regarding past school leaders of financial wrong doing, a key part of the suit already had been dismissed by the judge according to a new legal motion claims.
According to a 12 page argument filed in the Tulsa, OK, County District Court the evangelical school wrote the court had already given Trent Huddleston "more than a fair opportunity to re-plead his claims in a viable fashion, but plaintiff has failed to do so." Huddleston's attorneys last month filed a motion stating the case should go forward based on his claims of fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, civil conspiracy and interference with a business relationship. In November at a hearing, District Court Judge Michael Gassett dismissed the wrongful discharge claim from Huddleston's suit because his attorneys were unable to prove his firing violated public policy of the state of OK. Huddleston was ordered also by the judge's attorneys to file a brief explaining why his other claims should go forward after that dismissal.
An attorney for the school, Jo Anne Deaton stated Huddleston's camp has failed to provide facts "that would support the other claims they've asserted."
"I think there's a good chance the court will dismiss everything at the hearing," Deaton said. "We're very optimistic."
Huddleston's attorney, Gary Richardson stated he stands by the case. "The only thing lawyers can do is put forth their best arguments and wait and see what the judge says." "We, of course, feel like we're right." The next hearing is scheduled for January 27th. Huddleston's lawsuit that was filed in November of 2007 names the former ORU President Richard Roberts and his wife, Lindsay as defendants and others named are about two-dozen former regents and well known televangelists.
According to the suit Huddleston discovered an "unrestricted" account used to funnel large sums of money through the university each month. This amount exceeded $1 billion on an annual basis and was not used for any legitimate university purpose.
Huddleston claims he was ordered to help Richard and Lindsay Roberts "cook the books" by hiding improper and illegal financial wrong doing from authorities and the public. In 2006 Huddleston was hired and spent fifteen months at the school and he alleges former ORU board members participated in funneling the money for their eventual personal use, "and thus, the foxes were watching the hen house." In the late 2007 Richard Roberts resigned as president amid allegations that he and wife, Lindsay spent school money on home remodels and lavish vacations, plus a stable of horses for their daughters. Roberts stepped down after Huddleston's suit was filed and he repeatedly denies all wrong doing. The school recently completed a separation agreement with Roberts, which will pay him $447,200 in salary for the remaining term of his appointment which is November of 2009.
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