Liberty University sues Jerry Falwell Jr. for $10 million

Context: Falwell resigned from the university in August 2020 amid allegations that he and his wife had a years-long intimate relationship with business partner Giancarlo Granda.

• Falwell claimed he was extorted by Granda, his former pool attendant, over his wife's affair.

Prior to his resignation, Falwell had agreed to an indefinite leave of absence after posting a photo of himself on social media with unzipped pants holding what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage with one of his arms around a woman.

• The former president filed a lawsuit against the university in October 2020, claiming that it had "needlessly injured and damaged his reputation" after his resignation.

The big picture: Liberty's lawsuit against Falwell claims that the former president threatened the university's reputation by not divulging the relationship and extortion scheme to its board.

• "Falwell Jr. chose personal protection,” the suit claims, according to the Times.
• It also alleges that Falwell “improperly and errantly” told media outlets that the university owed him $10.5 million after his resignation and that his severance should have been $2.5 million.