Trey Falwell, the grandson of Liberty University founder Rev. Jerry Falwell, is suing the institution he once worked at, claiming breach of contract over his 2021 termination.
In 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as president and chancellor of the Christian University after being embroiled in several scandals, kicked off after pictures emerged showing him in a state of undress, holding a wine glass and standing beside a young woman with her pants unzipped, which turned out to be a Trailer Park Boys-themed yacht party.
Trey Falwell, Jerry’s son, had been working at the University since 2013. He signed a 15-year contract in 2015 that would see him earn a base salary $88k a year- a salary which was increased to $220,000 in 2017 when he became Vice President of Operations.
According to the lawsuit:
The article implied that Jerry Jr was staging a comeback to oversee the University again, and it was believed that his son Trey was helping him, against the wishes of the Liberty board and interim president Jerry Prevo.
The lawsuit alleges that as soon as Trey was terminated, he “immediately became contractually entitled to continued payments of his then-current salary and other amounts, totaling $1,750,000.” and that the refusal to pay him what he is owed “constitutes a breach of Plaintiff’s employment agreement and a violation of the Virginia Wage Payment Act. Plaintiff is entitled to compensatory damages, liquidated damages, and reimbursement of his attorneys’ fees and costs.”
Liberty says that Trey Falwell was an “at will employee” at the time of his termination, and told The Christian Post
“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.”
Notably, after years of threats and lawsuits following his resignation, Liberty agreed to pay Jerry Falwell Jr. nearly $15 million in settlements and compensation as a result of his troubles.
