Oral Roberts Kin: We've Done No Wrong

Oral Roberts Says Outside Contractor Will Probe Allegations Of Impropriety

(AP)  Oral Roberts was surprised by allegations that the university he founded is being exploited by his son and daughter-in-law, the aging televangelist said in his first public comments on the case.

Roberts phoned CNN's "Larry King Live" on Tuesday to weigh in on the accusations leveled in a lawsuit by three professors who claim they were fired from Oral Roberts University for questioning the school's spending and students' involvement in a political campaign.

"It was a surprise and sort of a shock," said the 89-year-old evangelist, stressing his confidence in his son and daughter-in-law, and noting that an outside firm has been asked to investigate the allegations on behalf of the school.

"We have been through some tough experiences in building Oral Roberts University in the 1960s," said Oral Roberts, "We have surprised them all and have built a university that we believe is for the glory of God."

Roberts spoke by phone from his home in California as his son, Richard, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay, sat on King's set in New York.

Richard Roberts, the Tulsa, Oklahoma, university's president, told King he never asked students to work on a mayoral campaign there. The fired professors allege up to 50 students worked for one candidate in what may have been a violation of state and federal law because of the university's nonprofit status.

"I didn't ask or coerce anybody to do that," Richard Roberts said.

The younger Roberts also said a Bahamas trip that the professors describe as his daughter's senior vacation was a business trip, and that his daughter and others accompanied him as part of a university recruiting effort.

The couple also said many of the remodeling projects on their university-owned home - the professors allege there were 11 such projects in 14 years - were because of black mold and hail damage.

"I have not done anything wrong," Richard Roberts said. "I can't say how much this has hurt my family."

The elder Roberts founded the 5,300-student school, known for its 60-foot-tall bronze sculpture of praying hands, in 1963. He famously told viewers in 1987 that God told him to raise $8 million for the university or he would be "called home."

[afmca]

Why does this story not suprise me? First, even if you believe in the self-righteous piety of the founders of these religious monuments, why do you think their offspiring automatically inherit the same? If America really researched these pseudo-religious organizations they would find they are truely monuments to their founders greed and ego. The Prophets for Profit are the con-men and snake-oil salesmen of the late 20th and early 21st century. Sooner or later their scams will be found out and they will be tarred and feathered and run out of town. Only then can God and the truely faithful regain their religion.

[reel-crazy]

Well, Richie.... what is your excuse for firing 3 college professors?

This story left out a valuable tidbit of information here.

Was it God or Daddy who told you to fire 3 professors or you would be "called home" too?....

[pollroller1]

Can you hold up your hands and say HEAL?
Come on everybody, Let''s all hold our hands high and say HEAL!!! Now, that should make everything all better.
Don''t y''all feel much better now.

[stephengosson]

Recruiting in the Bahamas??
C''mon.
There is shame in the Roberts clan using God as their fallback position for their unabashed worship of material possessions.
Perhaps God was sending a signal with mold and hail inflicted on their home, huh?

[Krazcarl]

When I was a kid and the car was broke or cash was tight yes we were poor it was Oral or Jerry on the TV to be honest preferred Oral never met them personaly but they came off as very decent people and building that college was very impotant to him and it seams a lot of folks got a fine education there I have made it a practice never take the word of fired employee''s over the employer. Fine school fine folks and on these isues it''s way to easy to throw stones though I went to state not my cup of tea.

[jsl45]

Just another example of Jimmy and Tammy Faye Baker, it never surprises me what humanity will do in the name of "God".

[prossermb]

Prophets for Profit is right,I am no longer surprised at what people are doing in the name of God. Not to worry as the WORD declares there will come a time when Christ will separate the sheeps from the goats. If these people can heal at will then why are they not spending time in the wards of hospital with terminally ill children? They disgust me and can be found throughout the scriptures specifically in the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew. Things are not always what they appear and I hope people will not judge the true and living God by the actions of those who misrepresent or contort the truth. Unfortunately we will have to be subjected to news accounts of how much good they do. Real charity doesn''t seek publicity or the airwaves. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." I think it may be starting to rain!

[sandy19731]

Organized religion should be taxed. Then I wouldn''t care what they do with their money. But, in this case, I do. Especially when they try to influence the very government that gives it tax-free status. Ask the students what they were doing for the campaign.
and Larry King is a hack.

[edjansen7]

I find it interesting that some seem to rush to judgment about this family and institution without having all the facts. Certainly, this small article lives up to its responsibility in journalism; presenting the facts without judgment. It seems that our perspectives in life are often tainted with who WE are and our judgments seem to be more about US than the ones we are judging. Peace, Ed Jansen - Stuart, Florida

[Krazcarl]

Sandy19731...I agree Jesus himself said give Ceaser what is Ceasers and give to god what is gods,,, and how these folks in good concience hide behind tax exempt is beyound me.

[revking88]

It totally amazes me how everything gets twisted in this world. As an ORU Alumni I continue to follow the basic principles that ORU instilled into my heart. Body, Mind and Spirit. The educaton that ORU provides is top-notch. I do not know the particulars of the firing of the 3 professors or what their claims are but I do know that students are encouraged to go out into the community whether it be politics or church. I know for a fact that being healed is real and has happened to me and through me. I also know that it is done in the name of the Lord and through the love of Christ that healing takes place. It is a gift. Oral has, on many occasions, been accused of misdeeds and making false statements and so on. As an Alumni, class of 1984, I have never met a man with such integrity and love for the Lord. He is not perfect, who is? He has made mistakes, who hasn''t? "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone." Can any of you do that? I doubt it but if you think you can, put the stone down because you are lying.

[glossypan]

Todays Tulsa World:
"Cell phones: The report in the lawsuit claims that Lindsay Roberts sent text messages to underage males, often between 1 and 3 a.m. In response, Lindsay Roberts said one of her daughters uses her cell phone when the daughter''s is broken. Also, the Robertses routinely send one of their cell phones home with their daughters'' visitors to make sure the visitors get home safely."

This AP report did not mention the prickliest problem for the Roberts in the Evangelical community, Lindsay''s purported fascination with mid-teen males.

[mswolfestock]

They are no better (or smarter) than Leona Helmsley was, and she did time in jail. It''s called income tax evasion and misappropriation of funds. They need to take a vow of poverty and pay back the money they stole from the University. It''s not so much about religion as it is about greed . . . . and I always thought that greed and avarice were deadly sins. Silly me.

[eggy1620]

Notice how they do not deny that they did the things of which they are accused (except the political campaign thing). They claim that the financially questionable practices should not be questioned, that they are not %u201Cwrong%u201D. They have fallen into the same trap that most commercial ministries have, going back to the Roman empire%u2019s embrace of Christianity. They actually believe that the donations are their earned personal income.

[luvny-2009]

Just another bible thumper getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Sadly the children of these people are milking the loyal followers. Satin Purse or whatever it''s called is another one that was investigated and found a few huge paychecks for the children etc of the founders.

[mrassekh]

revking88: With your stellar, top-notch education, shouldn''t you know that you are an alumnus, not an alumni?

[reel-crazy]

It makes you wonder what the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy have to say on this subject...

[Krazcarl]

SHURCHRORTRUTH...When my mom was dieng from renal diesease brought on by diabetis it was imprtant to her to donate cash to Jerry Fallwell I''m not a fan of Jerry but it was important to my mother and she was good to me and I respect her that''s all I need to know it made her feel usefull and helpfull and was worth it to her and that''s enough for me though I have never donated a dime.Yes she was poor but not poor in spirit.

[eggy1620]

Spreading the gospel has been the most consistent lucrative line of work since the gospels were written. The only thing that makes it palatable today is it seems the demographic of donors has changed over the past decades. The donor pool has shifted from the poor and gullible to the rich and political.

[ann3331]

The only thing i will say about this Im going to jump the gun and start judging and critizing the Roberts until this thing is fully investigated.and anothing thing why are people so easily believe the story before the man has ever get a chance to explain. I for one do not believe the story . until I hear all the true and nothing but the truth I wont believe it. But sadly people dont do that they judge and critizie and say all kind of thing before the factof what really happen comes out. how sad