Jerry Falwell Jr.Photo: Alex Wong/Getty
Liberty University has filed suit againstJerry Falwell Jr., accusing its disgraced former president and chancellor of, among other things, leading a “scheme” to keep his alleged sex scandal from the school.
Both Falwell and Becki haveconfirmedher affair with Granda took place, though both havedeniedFalwell’s involvement, and have accused Granda of trying to blackmail them, which he hasdenied in the pastand denied once again in a statement to PEOPLE in October.
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The suit claims that Falwell had a “fiduciary duty to provide material information to the Board, refrain from acts harmful to the interests of Liberty, avoid conflicts of interest, and reject opportunities to benefit his personal interests to the detriment of Liberty.”
From left: Jerry Falwell Jr., Becki Falwell and Giancarlo Granda.Alex Wong/Getty; Shannon Finney/Getty; Facebook
“Falwell Jr. and Granda both knew that matters of infidelity, immodesty, and acceptance of a loose lifestyle would stand in stark contrast to the conduct of leaders at Liberty,” the suit says, while also accusing Falwell, Becki, Granda and others of acting “intentionally [and] purposefully” to conceal Granda’s alleged “extortive acts.”
The suit, which was filed on Thursday in circuit court in Lynchburg, Virginia, also claims that Falwell has refused to return Liberty property, including computers and devices, as well as confidential information pertaining to students, employees, finances and others.
The actions of Falwell and Granda have allegedly affected Liberty’s enrollment and donor base, as well as damaged its reputation, according to the suit.
A lawyer for Falwell did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, though Falwell toldPOLITICOhe had not yet seen the lawsuit.
“Liberty University’s lawsuit continues to perpetuate a false narrative,” Granda’s statement read. “The truth detailing the Falwells' — and their enablers' — abuse of power, predatory behavior and corruption will come in due time.”
Liberty spokesperson Scott Lamb told PEOPLE that the school’s “only word on the subject is the lawsuit itself.”
source: people.com
