Oral Roberts settles suit with former professors

Oral Roberts settles suit with former professors

TULSA, Okla. — Oral Roberts University (ORU) has settled a lawsuit with two former professors who claimed that their actions as whistleblowers cost them their jobs.

In a suit filed in Tulsa County District Court in October 2007, former professors Tim and Paulita Brooker alleged lavish, unchecked spending and illegal activity by then-ORU president Richard Roberts and his family.

The school in Tulsa, Okla., announced Oct. 22 that litigation with the Brookers had been “successfully resolved through mediation” and said the terms of the settlement were confidential.

“This matter is now resolved and we are pleased to have it behind us,” said ORU interim president Ralph Fagin.

Richard Roberts, the son of university founder and evangelist Oral Roberts, resigned last November amid the allegations. He had succeeded his father in 1993.

The charismatic Christian university was more than $50 million in debt last fall, but has seen an infusion of funds from Mart Green, a Christian retail businessman who has supported it with a $70 million donation.