Falwell Resigns Following Reports of Tryst. Or Does He?

Jerry Falwell Jr., the controversial president of Liberty University, who was placed on leave this month, has reportedly resigned after Reuters reported that he had been involved in a tryst that included his wife and a former pool attendant. Religion News Service reported on Monday that Falwell had stepped down. The Washington Post reported that he had agreed to resign.

Later on Monday, however, Falwell denied that he had stepped down. “I have not resigned,” he told Politico. “I will be on indefinite leave.”

Politico noted that “a Liberty University spokesperson earlier on Monday responded affirmatively” when asked if Falwell had resigned. It added that the spokesperson subsequently declined to comment.

Reuters reported on Monday that a man named Giancarlo Granda alleged that he had been in a sexual relationship that involved Falwell and his wife, Becki. Falwell told the Washington Examiner on Sunday that his wife had had a short affair with “an ambitious young man,” but that he had not been involved.

Reuters reported that in screenshots of a video chat, Falwell’s wife was seen naked while Falwell peeked from behind a door in the background. The article also cited other evidence of the relationship.

Liberty University placed Falwell on leave earlier this month, after he posted on Instagram a photo of himself with his arm around a woman and his pants unzipped.