April Marciszewski, The Tulsa World, October 18, 2007
Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts issued a written statement Wednesday saying he is taking a leave of absence following intense scrutiny spawned by financial, political and other allegations raised in a lawsuit.
Roberts will continue to live in his university-provided house and be paid his $228,000 salary, ORU board of regents Chairman George Pearsons said.
The board will decide when and if Roberts returns to the job, based on the outcome of its own and an independent auditor’s investigations into the allegations.
Roberts and Pearsons said Roberts asked the board for the leave of absence. Roberts will continue to work as chairman and CEO of Oral Roberts Ministries, stick with his television work, keep teaching and preaching, and continue to write letters and books.
The decision was in “the best interest of my family and the university,” Roberts said.
“I pray and believe that in God’s timing, and when the board feels that it is appropriate, I will be back at my post as president.”