After Back And Forth, Jerry Falwell Jr. Finally Confirms Resignation From Liberty University Amid Scandals

Embattled Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. confirmed his resignation on Tuesday as he faces multiple scandals regarding his personal life.

On Monday, Reuters reported that Falwell and his wife had an alleged years-long sexual relationship with a business associate, Giancarlo Granda. Multiple news outlets reported later in the day that Falwell was stepping down from his position, citing an official from the school.

But Falwell pushed back on the reports of his resignation. He told Politico and Virginia Business on Monday evening that he was on indefinite leave and had no intention of stepping down. 

On Tuesday, Falwell was more straightforward about whether he would stay at the university, telling NPR he is “free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I am free at last!”

“I’m leaving because I think I’ve done all I can do. It’s better to leave at the top,” Falwell said.

On Aug. 7, Falwell Jr. agreed to take an indefinite leave of absence from the school after a photo emerged on social media with his pants unzipped. The now-deleted photo had shown Falwell’s pants unzipped and his arm around a woman other than his wife while on a yacht vacation.

Falwell’s resignation will help the evangelical university distance itself from the latest allegations against Falwell. 

Granda told Reuters that he met Falwell and his wife in 2012 when he was working at a hotel in Miami. Granda, who was 20 at the time, said he shortly became involved in a sexual relationship with Falwell’s wife, Becki.

Granda said he used to meet Falwell and his wife “multiple times per year” at hotels in Miami and New York and at the Falwells’ home in Virginia. Falwell would frequently watch as Granda engaged in sexual encounters with his wife.

Granda said he ended his relationship with the Falwells in 2018, following a business dispute. Becki Falwell confirmed to the Washington Post on Tuesday that she did have an affair, calling it embarrassing and humbling.

“I wish Christians and people would be as forgiving as Christ was,” Becki said.

On Sunday, the Washington Examiner published a statement from Falwell that disclosed his wife’s affair and denied his involvement.  He said the man involved had been threatening to reveal the relationship to blackmail Falwell into paying him money.

Falwell has served as the president of the conservative, evangelical university since 2007. The school has strict rules for its students, banning premarital sex and R-rated movies on campus. 

Falwell’s father, televangelist and political activist Jerry Falwell Sr., founded Liberty in 1971. Falwell Sr. was instrumental in rallying evangelical support around Republican leaders such as Ronald Reagan.

In more recent years, Falwell Jr. has embraced the Trump administration. He has called President Trump a “blue-collar billionaire” and “one of the greatest visionaries of our time.”