Liberty University agrees to pay Jerry Falwell Jr.

Liberty University has reached an agreement of over 15 million US dollars for a number of lawsuits associated with its resignation in 2020. The university confirmed the agreement, which includes the solution of complaints and a pension package, as reported by the USA Today.This step ends a lengthy legal dispute that began after Falwell's departure in the middle of a public scandal in which he and his wife Becki Falwell and another man, Giancarlo Granda, were involved.The agreement was announced in the Liberty University 2023-2024 tax form and confirms that Falwell would receive $ 5.5 million in order to pay the lawsuits in addition to the previously offered pension package of almost $ 10 million. The total amount of $ 15 million marks the conclusion of legal disputes between the university and its former president, who had conducted the institution for over a decade.Details of the settlementThe Liberty University's tax form announced that Falwell would receive Jr., in particular, 5.5 million US dollars in order to pay legal disputes associated with his resignation. This sum contributes to the pension benefits that Falwell has already received, which, according to the form, is almost 10 million US dollars. The settlement completed in 2024 was reached after Falwell and the University had ended their years of dispute over claims related to his time at the university and his leadership role.While the university did not participate in details beyond the settlement, both parties emphasized the end of this painful chapter. As quoted by the USA, Liberty University spokeswoman Ryan Helfenbein reported a statement published in 2024, in which it was: “Both the university's curatorium and Jerry Falwell sincerely over the long and painful process of load size.The resignation of 2020 and followFalwell Jr. resigned from Liberty University in August 2020 to a photo scandal that triggered national headlines. The photo showed him with his arm around his wife's assistant, who had a drink and both pants were built. Shortly afterwards, allegations appeared, which included an affair between Falwell's wife and Granda, which led to public outcry. After his resignation, Liberty University initiated an investigation of Falwell's behavior, while he submitted several lawsuits against the institution, including claims on his pension package and the use of his father's image.Effects on Liberty UniversityLiberty University, one of the largest Christian universities in the United States, was also suspended before an external examination. In 2024, the university was punished by the federal government to promote a campus culture by the federal government, which discouraged reporting on sexual violence. This fine included a penalty of $ 14 million and 2 million US dollars of necessary security improvements, whereby the university was accommodated under federal surveillance by 2026.Nevertheless, Liberty claimed that the punishments were unfairly attacked by the US government under the Biden administration.The settlement with Falwell Jr. now brings one of the most controversial chapters in Liberty University history and marks a turning point for the institution, while it is driving from her leadership scandal.