Liberty University agrees to pay Jerry Falwell Jr. $15 million in settlement following 2020 resignation scandal
Jerry Falwell Jr. receives $15 million from Liberty University in final settlement of legal disputes. (Getty Images)
Liberty University has reached a $15 million settlement with its former president, Jerry Falwell Jr., following a series of lawsuits tied to his resignation in 2020. The university confirmed the agreement, which includes both the resolution of lawsuits and a retirement package, as reported by USA Today.
This move ends a lengthy legal battle that began after Falwell's departure amidst a public scandal involving him and his wife, Becki Falwell, and another man, Giancarlo Granda.
The settlement was revealed in Liberty University's 2023-2024 tax form, confirming that Falwell would receive $5.5 million to settle the lawsuits, in addition to the nearly $10 million retirement package previously provided to him. The total amount of $15 million marks the conclusion of legal disputes between the university and its former president, who had led the institution for over a decade.
Details of the settlement
Liberty University's tax form disclosed that Falwell Jr. would receive $5.5 million specifically to settle litigation tied to his resignation. This sum adds to the retirement benefits Falwell already received, totaling nearly $10 million, according to the form. The settlement, finalized in 2024, was reached after Falwell and the university ended their years-long dispute over claims related to his time at the university and his leadership role.
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While the university did not publicly share details beyond the settlement, both parties emphasized the end of this painful chapter. As quoted by the USA Today, Liberty University spokesperson Ryan Helfenbein directed reporters to a statement released in 2024, which read, 'Both the University's Board of Trustees and Jerry Falwell Jr. sincerely regret the lengthy and painful litigation process.' The statement also included an apology from both sides, acknowledging errors in judgment made during the dispute.
The 2020 resignation and aftermath
Falwell Jr. resigned from Liberty University in August 2020 following a photo scandal that sparked national headlines. The photo showed him with his arm around his wife's assistant, holding a drink and with both their pants unbuttoned. Shortly after, allegations surfaced involving an affair between Falwell's wife and Granda, leading to public outcry. In the wake of his resignation, Liberty University launched an investigation into Falwell's conduct, while he filed multiple lawsuits against the institution, including claims over his retirement package and the use of his father's image.
Impact on Liberty University
Liberty University, one of the largest Christian universities in the US, has also faced external scrutiny. In 2024, the university was penalized $16 million by the federal government for fostering a campus culture that discouraged reporting sexual violence. This fine included a $14 million penalty and $2 million in required safety improvements, with the university placed under federal monitoring until 2026.
Despite this, Liberty has maintained that the penalties were unfairly targeted by the US government under the Biden administration.
The settlement with Falwell Jr. now brings closure to one of the most controversial chapters in Liberty University's history, marking a turning point for the institution as it moves forward from its leadership scandal.
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