(Photo: nbcnews.com)
Jerry Falwell Jr. steps down as president for Christian school
On Monday, evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. in on indefinite leave president of Liberty University. The Christian school, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, was founded by his late father. Liberty University spokesman Scott Lamb said that the institution will issue a statement soon.
Prior to his departure, on August 7, Liberty University’s executive committee said they asked Falwell Jr. to take an “indefinite leave of absence” after he posted an indecent photo on Instagram.
Falwell is one of President Trump’s most prominent evangelical supporters, and his resignation comes after a series of recent public controversies about his behavior. One such incident involves a Miami man who claims he carried on an eight-year affair with Falwell Jr.’s wife. Falwell Jr. acknowledged the affair in a statement to CNN.
One of the most influential figures in the American Christian conservative movement, the former University president issued a statement saying he and his family were blackmailed by the Miami man. Falwell Jr. said the “inappropriate personal relationship” led to stress, weight loss and “roller coaster” living.
Though Falwell Jr. did not specifically identify the man, a man named Giancarlo Granda stepped up with a statement to CNN that he is the person referenced in the former president’s statement.
In an interview with Reuters, Granda said that his relationship with the Falwells began when he was 20. He met the couple while working as a pool attendant at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami.
His relationship with Falwell Jr.’s wife, Becki, began that same month. Granda admitted to the media outlet that he mt with Becki in Miami, New York, and at the Falwell’s home in Virginia. The relationship is said to have lasted about a year.
Neither Falwell Jr. nor Beckie Falwell has commented. Granda told Reuters that his friendship with the Falwells eventually went south in part because he wanted to dissolve his ties with the couple. He also fell into a business dispute with them.
By: Maytinee Kramer
