Former Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts was arrested early Tuesday on complaints of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper clocked Roberts’ 2006 Mercedes driving 93 mph in a 65 mph zone just after midnight on the Creek Turnpike west of U.S. 169, according to his arrest report.
Roberts’ blood-alcohol level was measured at .11 percent, which is above the legal limit of .08, the report says.
The trooper noticed a strong smell of alcohol after pulling Roberts over as he headed north on U.S. 169 just south of 71st Street, according to the report.
Roberts was unable to follow simple instructions in two coordination tests and was taken to the Jenks Police Department to determine his blood-alcohol level, the report says.
He was booked into the Tulsa Jail at 2:46 a.m. and was released on $1,100 bail at 5:47 a.m., records show.
Roberts, 63, the son of ORU founder Oral Roberts, resigned in 2007 after 15 years as the university’s president amid allegations that he and his family misused university and ministry resources.
Roberts is chairman and CEO of the Oral Roberts Evangelical Association, he and his wife Lindsay have a tv show called The Place for Miracles: Your Hour of Healing.His father, Oral Roberts would have been 93 years old today.
My dear old evangelical dad, back in the day, actually took me to an Oral Roberts meeting once when I was about 10 or 11. It was horrifying. I got frightened and wanted to leave when people started jumping up and down, shrieking and wailing while Roberts did his “healin” shtick. I covered my ears and cried.
He took us all to see Billy Graham once too. That wasn’t so bad because we were all there together but it wasn’t any fun either.
By the time I was in my mid 20s Dad had changed a lot and actually apologized to me for much of the way I’d been raised and specifically apologized for taking me to see Roberts.
He’d laugh and laugh at the thought of Oral Roberts spawn being busted for drunk driving.
Whatever inner demon he is struggling with, it’s not worth being out at the wee hours of the morning. Rushing down a road to who knows where. Putting others at risk, along with himself.
Maybe some very serious timeout is needed. Because it appears the road he was on that AM, was not an effort to climb above a fallen world.
I live in Tulsa. The area of 169 where he was pulled over is a very dangerous curve where the Creek Turnpike and 169 intersect. It is bad enough going the speed limit in that area, much less going 93 mph. At that time of night there were probably not many people on the road. Hopefully there are people that are mature in Christ that can reach him and his family. They truly need His deliverance.
I have often wondered about Richard’s “Word of Knowledge” ministry. Perhaps it was his Alcoholic imagination prophesying. A truly spiritual person can usually tell whether a person is or is not anointed. I personally do not feel that he is. His family surely knows about his drinking and has tried to keep it a secret. After all, they are all living out of “other folks’ pledges and donations.” I just wonder how many more hypocrites are pulling the same tricks on Television. Scripture rings true: your sins will find you out. His blood alcohol level being .11 sounds to me as if he has some drinking buddies with whom to imbibe . Just hope there is no other female involved.
Wonder how long this type of activity has been going on. Thanks to the Trooper who spotted him. He could have wrecked his Mercedes or even gotten killed. May the Lord help all of us!
I’m sure he can afford counselling if he so chooses… No sympathy from my end except towards those who have sympathy for him.
This morally bankrupt con man is finished. His “ministry” con is finished. Under no circumstances should he and his ditzy wife be allowed to receive any further contributions from well meaning dupes hoping to get a miracle from God.
God does not use drunks. It’s in His book. You could look it up.
God does not use liars who refuse to walk in the Statutes of Life. What drunken Richard Roberts has done breaks more than half of God’s Ten Commandments:
1) Thou shalt have no other gods before me…including self and Jim Beam.
Thou shalt not bear false witness…by parading as a “man of God” when you clearly are not.
3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain… by professing to be a Christian without possessing Christ as Saviour.
4) Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy….by not preaching on it with secret sins.
5) Honor thy father and mother….by not disgracing their memories by living a debauched life.
6) Thou shalt not murder…yourself with alcohol or others by your intemperance and irresponsibility.
9) Thou shalt not steal…by taking money under false pretenses from people.
What a disgraceful excuse for a man this is. He deserves every atom of scorn, vitriol and derision he receives. And so does his enabling thug wife.
I need a shower.
David
Totally disgusted by the hypocricy of this ministry. David, you have made some excellent points. My heart aches at how Mr. Roberts has been plaspheming our Lord by calling himself a follower of His and hating Him at the same time by his wicked works. I’ve been praying imprecatory prayers against false teachers like Richard Robers who lead millions upon millions to an eternal death. Unless Richard Roberts repents, he will perish.
very sad this man needs to exsplain why and come clean he is not practing what he preaches
I am very disapointed
Here is an update from our local paper. He was formerly charged on Monday.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/specialprojects/news/crimewatch/article.aspx?subjectid=450&articleid=20120131_11_A12_CUTLIN855161
Here is an update from our local paper. He was formerly charged on Monday.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/specialprojects/news/crimewatch/article.aspx?subjectid=450&articleid=20120131_11_A12_CUTLIN855161
Shaking my head
He who is without sin let him cast a stone. We seem to be lacking even a modicum of human kindness. Where is our empathy for a man who has done more to help his community and humanity than all of us who seek to criticize him. I know that to whom much is given, much is required and his actions are inexcusable, but we have to become a people who extend grace to others. My only hope is that Richard take a deep introspective look and get some serious help. The damage to the kingdom as a result of this act of folly is irreparable but God’s redemptive power transcends all folly. Pick yourself up Richard and don’t forsake the call on your life.
Hi Pamela:
Thank you.
Tulsa World: January 31st.
“Richard Roberts was charged Monday with two misdemeanor counts, including driving under the influence of alcohol, court records show. ”
“…His blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.11, according to the report.”