Jerry “Trey” Falwell III, a former Liberty University vice president and the son of Becki and Jerry Falwell Jr., filed a lawsuit in April against the Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, saying its leaders violated his 15-year employment contract. In a series of Facebook posts, Becki Falwell has accused the school’s board of mismanagement and of mistreating her family.
The university denies the allegations in the lawsuit.
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At issue in the suit, first reported by Daniel Silliman of the Roys Report, is a personal services contract signed by the younger Falwell and his father in January 2016, according to a court filing in the Circuit Court for the city of Lynchburg in April. The contract, which expires in June 2030, guaranteed Trey Falwell a salary of $88,000, annual 5% raises, a $600 monthly car allowance, free tuition and other benefits. According to the complaint, the younger Falwell’s salary was raised to $220,000 in 2017.
That contract would become void if the younger Falwell were fired for cause. Otherwise, the school was required to keep paying him until 2030, even if he was fired, according to the suit.
‘Contractually entitled’?
Lawyers for Trey Falwell alleged that school leaders gave no details when he was fired in April 2021, about 10 months after his father resigned.
“When Defendant terminated Plaintiff’s employment in April 2021, he immediately became contractually entitled to continued payments of his then-current salary and other amounts, totaling $1,750,000,” the complaint alleges.
Attorneys for Trey Falwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the five-year delay in filing a claim for wages.
Liberty’s response
The college rejects the allegations.
“Liberty University disputes the allegations about Trey Falwell’s termination without cause and that he is entitled to compensation. The lawsuit is without merit, and the University will vigorously defend this case,” a spokesman for Liberty told RNS in a statement on Thursday (May 28). “It will state its position in filings with the court.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Bob Smietana and originally published by Religion News Service.
