TULSA — Federal officials declined to comment Wednesday on whether there was an investigation into violations of the tax code by Oral Roberts University, but the school president had plenty to say to students and staff.
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David O'Meilia, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and David Stell, the Oklahoma spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service, said it was inappropriate for them to comment on whether there was an investigation.
Saying he'd spoken with God, school President Richard Roberts told students and faculty during a weekly chapel service, "Here's what he told me to say to you, ‘We live in a litigious society. Anyone can get mad and file a lawsuit against another person whether they have a legitimate case or not.
"‘This lawsuit ... is not about wrongful termination. It is about intimidation, blackmail and extortion,'” he said.
The breach of contract lawsuit was filed Tuesday against the university, Roberts, provost Mark Lewandowski, associate provost Jeff Ogle and dean Wendy Shirk by three professors who said they were fired or resigned under pressure.
The plaintiffs are John Swails, former chairman of the history, humanities and government department; Tim Brooker, who coordinated the government program; and Brooker's wife, Paulita, who taught in the humanities and lifelong education departments.
The defendants, who received a copy of the lawsuit on Wednesday, have 20 days to respond.
Tim Brooker joined ORU in 2001. He was recruited by the Republican National Committee to develop a program to further the political group's efforts. Over several years, the program had success in political races, all outside of Oklahoma, and financed either by the RNC or individual campaign committees, the lawsuit said.
In December 2005, Tim Brooker was summoned to meet with Richard Roberts and Roberts' sister-in-law Stephanie Cantese, community and governmental liaison for the ministries, the lawsuit stated.
Brooker was instructed by Roberts to use his talent and his students in local political races, specifically that of Randi Miller, seeking the Republican nomination for Tulsa mayor, according to the lawsuit. Miller is now a county commissioner.
The lawsuit states Roberts was told that such action was in violation of the tax code, but he "remained adamant” and directed Brooker to become involved in a partisan political campaign.
In May 2006, the IRS contacted ORU about its involvement in the Miller campaign. Brooker said he was instructed to write a report and "fall on the sword” while taking "full and total blame,” covering up the directives made by Roberts, according to the lawsuit. The first two drafts of Brooker's report were rejected by ORU officials, the lawsuit states.
Ralph Fagin, then the provost, wrote his own "sanitized and inaccurate” narrative for a sworn affidavit to respond to the IRS, the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit states the plaintiffs were targeted after they turned over a report developed by Cantese.
Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson's firm is representing the professors.
"This suit has been filed by an attorney who has over the years filed many suits against Oral Roberts University for more than, well, multimillions of dollars,” Richard Roberts said Wednesday. "And he has lost every suit that he has filed against the university. I have been down this road with him before.”
Richardson said he was involved in only one past lawsuit involving ORU, involving its hospital building, but that case never went to trial.
"I hate to call him a liar, but he's a liar,” Richardson said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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I come from a family that was in the news years ago and were wrongfully accused of illegal things. It took years to prove our innocence, but it was proven in the 10th Circuit Court. Many of you come on this website and point your finger to people that, lets be honest, you know nothing about... Think of your own life and the things people could say about you... Still thinking?? Maybe we should take a look at our own lives before we past judgment on others. What a concept, huh? I don't know these people and truly don't care to know them, I just felt the need to pass this comment along.
I think if they worked for ORU and they read the bible, they should resolve this situation in person with the Roberts family versus taking them to court. The bible says christians should know how to resolve their differences. Therefore, I believe this is about money primarily... so thats my two cents worth
The Roberts family has nothing to do with the modern Methodist or Baptists churches. They are non-denominational Evangelicals.
1. This is nothing new for televangelists. Their primary goal has nothing to do with salvation of others, it is their own enrichment. Remember ol' Oral himself asking for all that money to avoid God "taking" him home? What's sad is there are poor folks everywhere who are easy prey for this charlatainism.
2. What is up with his wife and this "male companion?" Whenever I see that terminology used, it is ALWAYS code for either gay or "illicit" partner.
3. The son looks like he's on the path to being a total screwup.
4. Why were those profs fired? My guess is they advocated truths/facts or hypotheses that didn't comport with the Roberts' delusional world view.
I had a friend who had the misfortune of attending that "university." He was threatened with expulsion for merely asking to start a chapter of Amnesty International at Oral Roberts!
Oddly enough, these nutballs probably endorse every last shredded vestige of Bush's unChristian (not to mention incompetent) foreign policy.
Just out of curiosity Grant, what makes you so certain that they are scummy people? You could be right, they may use resources and funds for personal use....all wrong I agree. But what evidence do you actually have to back it up? J OKC
My dad was once my basketball coach when I was a kid. When it came time to pick our jersey numbers, he privately asked me what number I wanted. I replied that I wanted number 12, and that I hoped I'd get to pick first. He said, "You're the coach's son. You can have the number you want. It's the only perk you'll get." He was implying that what he said goes since it was his team. Translation: The Robert's family has been sketchy for years. The university has the word "Roberts" in it's name. If you have a problem with the reputation of the university, or of the family, don't go there, don't work there, and don't be surprised that they use university money and resources for their own well being. They are scummy people. So, just don't associate with them at all. Don't work for them, and you won't be in a position to "fall on your sword" for them. I actually hope the Roberts lose the lawsuit, but it isn't because I feel sorry for the plaintiffs. They kinda deserve it.
ORU vows to fight claims 10/03/2007 TULSA — Oral Roberts University, Richard Roberts, the ORU provost, an associate provost and a dean were sued Tuesday by three former professors who claim...
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
1. This is nothing new for televangelists. Their primary goal has nothing to do with salvation of others, it is their own enrichment. Remember ol' Oral himself asking for all that money to avoid God "taking" him home? What's sad is there are poor folks everywhere who are easy prey for this charlatainism.
2. What is up with his wife and this "male companion?" Whenever I see that terminology used, it is ALWAYS code for either gay or "illicit" partner.
3. The son looks like he's on the path to being a total screwup.
4. Why were those profs fired? My guess is they advocated truths/facts or hypotheses that didn't comport with the Roberts' delusional world view.
I had a friend who had the misfortune of attending that "university." He was threatened with expulsion for merely asking to start a chapter of Amnesty International at Oral Roberts!
Oddly enough, these nutballs probably endorse every last shredded vestige of Bush's unChristian (not to mention incompetent) foreign policy.