Jerry “Trey” Falwell III, the grandson of Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell Sr., is suing the evangelical university for $1.75 million over alleged unpaid salary and benefits.
Falwell claims the university violated the terms of a 15-year employment contract that he says remained in effect until 2030, according to The Roys Report.
Falwell graduated from Liberty University in 2011 and joined the school’s staff in 2013. In 2015, he became an administrative assistant to his father, former Liberty president Jerry Falwell Jr., earning an annual salary of $88,000.
The lawsuit states that he also signed a 15-year contract at that time. In 2017, he was promoted to vice president of operations and his salary reportedly increased to $220,000 a year.
Falwell argues that the promotion did not alter the terms of his original agreement, which he says guaranteed his salary and benefits unless the university terminated him with an adequate written explanation.
The dispute stems from fallout surrounding Jerry Falwell Jr.’s resignation from Liberty University in 2020 following a series of scandals.
Liberty University initially suspended Falwell Jr. for two weeks before announcing it would be in the “school’s best interest” if he did not return.
Several months later, Politico reported that Falwell Jr. was seeking to return to the university with support from some members of the board and administration, including his son.
According to the lawsuit, Trey Falwell was fired and escorted off campus 10 days after being identified as helping his father regain influence at the university.
The lawsuit alleges Liberty University failed to provide a written explanation for his termination, breaching the employment agreement governing his compensation and benefits.