More Defendants Added To ORU Lawsuit

Friday, November 9th 2007, 5:39 pm

By: News On 6

A lawsuit against Oral Roberts University is expanding. Three former professors suing the school are now including Oral Roberts Ministries in the lawsuit. Former professors John Swails, Tim Brooker and Brookerâ€™s wife Paulita, also a former professor, are suing ORU and Richard Roberts for wrongful termination. Their attorney says they have added Oral Roberts Ministries to the suit because that is who provided their paychecks.

A claim of fraud was also added to the suit. The professors say the university hired them without disclosing the school's financial situation. Last month, the university disclosed it is $52 million in debt. The ORU Regents blame the debt on ongoing maintenance costs at the university and weak donor support.

The plaintiff's attorneys also subpoenaed a pilot, security guard and investigator as witnesses in the lawsuit.

For complete coverage of the ORU lawsuit, including a copy of the lawsuit, click here.