Jerry “Trey” Falwell III sued Liberty University in April, arguing the school violated his 15-year employment contract signed in January 2016. Liberty denies the allegations, calling the case “without merit” and saying it will defend the suit in court.
Jerry “Trey” Falwell III’s fight with Liberty University landed in court in April, and the dispute has now spilled into public view through family accusations on social media.
Falwell. a former Liberty University vice president and the son of Becki and Jerry Falwell Jr. filed the lawsuit against the Christian school in Lynchburg. Virginia. His case claims Liberty’s leaders violated his 15-year employment contract. In a series of Facebook posts, Becki Falwell accused the school’s board of mismanagement and of mistreating her family.
Liberty University denies the allegations in the lawsuit.
The contract at the center of the case was 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. It was set to expire in June 2030 and. as described in the filing. guaranteed a salary of $88. 000. annual 5% raises. a $600 monthly car allowance. free tuition. and other benefits.
The complaint says the salary was raised to $220,000 in 2017.
At the heart of the dispute is what happens under the contract if an employee is dismissed. The suit argues the agreement would become void if the younger Falwell were fired “for cause.” Otherwise, the complaint says the school was required to keep paying him until 2030—even if he was fired.
Falwell’s lawyers frame Liberty’s decision to end his employment in April 2021 as the trigger for payment obligations. The complaint alleges: “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 filing ties that number to the claim that Liberty owed continued payments after the termination. and it points to the lack of details given at the time of his firing.
The lawsuit arrives with a long delay after the termination. The attorneys for Trey Falwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the five-year delay in filing a claim for wages.
For Liberty, the response is blunt.
The university rejects the allegations. A spokesman for Liberty told MISRYOUM in a statement on Thursday (May 28): “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. “It will state its position in filings with the court.”.
Liberty University Trey Falwell Becki Falwell Jerry Falwell Jr. lawsuit contract Lynchburg employment termination
Liberty always says it’s “without merit” 🙄 bet they just don’t want to pay.
Wait so is this about him getting fired or like free tuition for his kids? I got lost. $1.75 million sounds like a lot though.
If the contract says no matter what they owe him till 2030, then why did they even fire him? That part makes no sense. Also how does “for cause” work if they didn’t explain it right away??
The story says he sued like 5 years later for wages and that the lawyers didn’t respond for the delay… which means I’m confused. Like if it’s “without merit” why not shut it down immediately back in 2021? And I saw Becki’s posts so I assumed the school was like stealing money or something lol