Falwell Fires Back at Liberty University in $8.6 Million Lawsuit

The $8.6 million legal battle between Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University Inc. intensified this week, when Falwell asked a federal judge to reject the school’s attempt to rescind contracts governing his retirement package.

Falwell on Tuesday sought dismissal of Liberty’s counterclaims, telling the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia that they’re preempted by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Falwell also challenged the school’s claims on the merits, saying Liberty is alleging a supposed breach of contract that occurred before the contract was even executed.

Falwell served as Liberty’s president from 2007 until his August ...