Judge to Rule on Dismissing Oral Roberts Lawsuits

The lawyer, Jo Anne Deaton, said of the plaintiff, Trent Huddleston, "I think it's clear now that Mr. Huddleston has no claims against ORU or any of these defendants." 

Lawyers for Huddleston, who was an accountant for Oral Roberts Ministries for about 15 months, have argued that his claims of negligence, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress should go forward. 

Huddleston's attorney Gary Richardson said Thursday that both sides had presented their cases and that the decision is up to the judge. 

"It if goes against us, it wouldn't be the first time I've been surprised," he said. 

Huddleston charges in his suit that ORU and former university President Richard Roberts funneled money from the ministry to bank accounts not affiliated with the university and also spent ORU funds on Roberts' family and their house. 

Tulsa County District Judge Michael Gassett moved toward dismissing the claims in November but gave plaintiffs more time to argue their cases. Gassett did dismiss Huddleston's claim of wrongful termination, however. 

The defendants say in a court filing this week that none of the claims has merit, and neither does a fraud allegation that the judge also will rule on during the hearing Jan. 27. 

Also on that day, Gassett will consider dismissing a separate lawsuit filed against Roberts and his wife, Lindsay Roberts, by David Brown, a former ORU student who alleges that he was unable to finish his specialized degree because a professor was fired. 

The professor, John Swails, was one of three who sued ORU, launching a storm of allegations and scandal in the past year. Swails settled with ORU and is now back at his job. The other two professors settled later. The conditions for their agreements are confidential. 

Richardson said the hearing for Brown's case is routine and that he doesn't expect a dismissal. 

Richard Roberts resigned in November 2007. ORU is expected to name a new president this year.