ORU Wants Lawsuit Tossed

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Attorneys for Oral Roberts University are asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the university by a former ORU accountant.

In a 12-page argument filed on Thursday in district court the attorneys argue that a key part of the lawsuit by Trent Huddleston has already been dismissed.

Huddleston sued ORU for alleged wrongful firing, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, civil conspiracy and interference with a business relationship.

A judge in November dismissed the wrongful firing claim saying he couldn't prove his firing violated public policy in Oklahoma.

Huddleston's attorneys argue the case should proceed on the remaining claims.

The lawsuit claims Huddleston found an account used to funnel more than $1 billion a year through ORU. He also claims he was ordered to help former ORU President Richard Roberts and his wife Lindsay hide improper and illegal financial wrongdoing.

Richard Roberts resigned days after the lawsuit was filed and has denied wrongdoing.