LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Jerry Falwell Jr. has dropped a defamation lawsuit against his former employer, Liberty University.
A judge granted a motion this week to dismiss the case in a move that left open the possibility of Falwell refiling a similar one later, The News & Advance reported Thursday. Court documents give no indication of why Falwell opted to withdraw the lawsuit.
"I've decided to take a time out from my litigation against Liberty University, but I will continue to keep all options on the table for an appropriate resolution to the matter," Falwell said in a brief statement to the newspaper Thursday.
Liberty said in a statement that Falwell's "unilateral and voluntary dismissal was not prompted by any payments, promises, or other consideration" from the school.
"The University's administration and Board of Trustees are pleased that Falwell has dropped his lawsuit and look forward to pressing onward with the work of Liberty's President and Chancellor Search Committee to find the new leadership to succeed Falwell," the statement said.
Falwell stepped down as president and chancellor of Liberty, the evangelical school his father founded, in August. His departure came after Giancarlo Granda, a younger business partner of the Falwell family, said he had a yearslong sexual relationship with Falwell's wife, Becki Falwell, and that Jerry Falwell participated in some of the liaisons as a voyeur.