Feed The Children Charity chief Larry Jones cedes control

Feed The Children founder Larry Jones has agreed to give up operational control of his charity but will stay on — for now — as a spokesman and fundraiser.

His new role was described in a one-page news release Thursday announcing the settlement of a lawsuit that pitted Jones against most members of the charity’s board of directors.

The Oklahoma City-based Christian relief organization, which claims to raise more than $1.1 billion in donations a year, has been in turmoil for months because of the legal battle over who was in charge there.

Jones and his wife, Frances, founded the charity 30 years ago. It has become widely known for its heart-wrenching televised appeals for funds to feed starving children. The appeals often feature children suffering in Africa.

Larry Jones makes more than $230,000 a year from the charity.

In the news release, Larry Jones said, "At the end of day, it became quite clear the best interests of the children we serve around the world were not being met as long as we were distracted by this lawsuit. Therefore, after much prayer and consideration, Frances and I, along with the board members, agreed to end the lawsuit so Feed The Children can move forward again.”

Most of the directors on the charity’s board were upset with Larry Jones because they said his "freewheeling dominance” of decisions had hurt the charity.

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