Why Jerry Falwell Jr Is Suing Liberty University

Former Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. filed a state lawsuit Wednesday against Liberty University, claiming he was wrongly ousted from his position as president due to "baseless accusations."

Falwell was the president of Liberty, an evangelical Christian college in Virginia, for 13 years before he resigned under pressure in late August amid a series of embarrassing scandals.

In the lawsuit, Falwell's lawyers alleged that Liberty breached the former president's contract.

“When Mr. Falwell and his family became the targets of a malicious smear campaign incited by anti-evangelical forces, Liberty University not only accepted the salacious and baseless accusations against the Falwells at face value but directly participated in the defamation. This action seeks redress for the damage Liberty has caused to the reputation of Mr. Falwell and his family,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit did not ask for a specific monetary figure sought in damages.

Falwell left Liberty after business partner Giancarlo Granda, 29, told Reuters in August that he had an affair with Falwell's wife, Becki, back in 2012.

Granda, who previously worked as a pool boy, said Falwell would watch as he had sex with Becki Falwell. Granda added that he believes the Falwell family preyed upon him.

Jerry Falwell Jr. argues that he lost around 80 pounds due to the "constant anxiety" he endured during his dealings with Granda.

The lawsuit lists only Liberty University as a defendant.

The complaint accuses the Lincoln Project, a political action committee that opposes President Trump, and one of the group's senior advisers, Kurt Bardella, of backing Granda.