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.
Christian Web News - In the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a Christian shopkeeper was gunned down Wednesday while he was heading to work, according to a local official.
Christian Web News - First, a San Diego pastor was told that he could not have home Bible studies without a Major Use Permit. Then, a church in Gilbert, Arizona was told that they were violating zoning codes by meeting in a home. Now a third church is being told they cannot have home meetings.
Christian Web News - Chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team were on the ground in Port-au-Prince less than 24 hours after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook the country of Haiti on Jan. 12.
Christian Web News - So many people across our nation, young people especially, are Biblically illiterate. Confusion and intimidation of the Bible's length and complexity causes many people to give up on reading the Bible altogether.
Christian Web News - According to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF), within the next 24 hours, officials in southern Laos plan to burn temporary shelters built by expelled Christians unless they deny their faith.
Christian Web News - Fortunately, the nation's first “hate speech” bill has been killed by the Massachusetts Senate. The Joint Education Committee's Martha Walz and Robert O'Leary added the provision to an anti-bullying bill. Had it passed, it would have punished any criticism of homosexuality with a term in jail or a fine.
Christian Web News - On Wednesday, Republican senators said that House members who vote for the Senate-passed health care bill would “own it,” and that nothing would be changed through reconciliation. Which includes prohibiting federal (taxpayer) funds from being used to pay for abortions.
Christian Web News - On Sunday, on the streets of multiple cities in Spain, tens of thousands of people protested a new law that would allow abortion on demand.
Christian Web News - On Tuesday, a European court ordered Turkey to remove the religious affiliation section from citizens’ identification cards, calling the practice a violation of human rights.
Christian Web News - SBC International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin is making a strong case for change within his denomination as he gets ready to walk away from the command of its missions arm following 17 years of service.
Christian Web News - Parents are being urged by a national coalition of organizations committed to preserving parental rights in public education, restoring academic integrity to public education, and removing partisan political protests from the classroom to call their children out of school on the Day of Silence if their school is permitting students to refuse to speak in class.
Christian Web News - A new survey found that not even half of churchgoers in America plan on inviting non-churchgoers to Easter worship service this year.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Christian Web News - At a time when greed and corruption seem to run rampant and morals seem nonexistent, many people wonder where to look for role models.
For the millions of junior high, high school and college students heading back to school, the idea of returning to the classroom may be met with mixed emotions.
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.