Disgraced evangelical university boss Jerry Falwell Jr says he’s ‘free at last’ after resigning over explosive sex scandal
Ex-president of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. (John Moore/Getty Images)
The disgraced Jerry Falwell Jr has officially resigned from his post as the head of a private Christian university after an explosive sex scandal shattered his holier-than-thou reputation.
The Liberty University head, a strong opponent of LGBT+ rights who bans students from having gay sex, is accused of striking up a years-long relationship with a pool boy, who alleges that Falwell “enjoyed watching from the corner of the room” as he engaged in sexual acts with his wife, Becki Falwell.
Falwell, who was placed on a leave of absence from the university earlier this month after posting a racy drunken photo to Instagram, confirmed on Tuesday that he has now officially resigned his post at Liberty University.
Jerry Falwell Jr: ‘Better to leave at the top.’
He told NPR: “[I am] free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I am free at last! That’s the way, I feel.”
Falwell, who insists he has “not broken any rules that apply to a staff member at Liberty”, said he is leaving “because I think I’ve done all I can do” in the post.
He added: “It’s better to leave at the top.”
His exit is a remarkable fall from grace for Falwell, who less than four years ago opted to reject a job in Donald Trump’s cabinet and stay in charge at Liberty, which has assets worth $3 billion and is the core of the evangelist movement.
Accompanied by Jerry Falwell, Donald Trump leaves after he delivered keynote address during the commencement at Liberty University in 2017 (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The university confirmed in a statement: “The Liberty University board of trustees acted today to accept the resignation of Jerry Falwell, Jr as its president and chancellor and also accepted his resignation from its board of directors. All were effective immediately. The university’s heartfelt prayers are with him and his family as he steps away from his life’s work.”
According to the statement, Falwell will still receive a handsome severance package “dictated by the terms of his pre-existing employment agreement without any adjustment by the university or its board.”
The university says it is preparing to launch a search committee to select a new president, with anti-LGBT+ activist Jerry Prevo serving in the position in an interim capacity.
Prevo said: “Our students are ready to be world changers as champions for Christ. Their spirit is strong as they look to the future. I intend to do all I can to nurture their spiritual side as they grow academically and enjoy all our campus has to offer.”
University boss is a ‘predator’, former pool boy claims.
Meanwhile, the former pool boy at the centre of the scandal, Giancarlo Granda, has branded Falwell a “predator”, challenging suggestions that he had “seduced” Becki Falwell without the knowledge of her husband.
In a statement, he accused Falwell of inappropriate conduct relating to female students at Liberty University.
