Jerry Falwell Jr. officially resigns as Liberty University president, university confirms

Under fire for an alleged sex scandal, the embattled Jerry Falwell Jr. has submitted his resignation as head of Liberty University, school officials said Tuesday – less than 24 hours after Falwell denied he was leaving the evangelical institution.

Liberty's board of trustees accepted his resignation Tuesday, effective immediately, the university said in a statement, after receiving a resignation letter from Falwell late Monday night.

His resignation marks an ignominious end to his 13-year run as Liberty president that began when his televangelist father who founded the university, The Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr., died in 2007. Falwell also resigned from Liberty's board of directors.

“I am so encouraged by the unity of Christ that I saw exemplified by our Board today," Liberty's Acting Board Chairman Dr. Allen McFarland said. "Liberty University’s future is very bright and in capable hands of leaders who are committed to being good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted!”