(CNN) -- Richard Roberts, the embattled president of Oral Roberts University and the son of its namesake evangelist founder, stepped down Friday, according to the school's Board of Regents.



Richard Roberts and wife Lindsay appear on CNN's "Larry King Live" in October.



"I love ORU with all my heart. I love the students, faculty, staff and administration, and I want to see God's best for them," Roberts wrote in his resignation letter.



Roberts' decision was effective immediately and came as the school fought a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by three professors who accused him and his wife of misconduct.



John Swails, Tim Brooker and Paulita Brooker said they lost their jobs after reporting information indicating that Roberts and his family lavishly spent school money for personal expenses.



Roberts and his wife, Lindsay, have denied the allegations.



The suit also claimed Oral Roberts University gave a "convicted sexual deviant unrestricted access to students" and evidence in the case had been shredded -- charges the university has denied.



In addition, the suit alleged Lindsay Roberts repeatedly spent time with an "underage male" in various situations. She denied any improper behavior, insisting in a statement that she had "never, ever engaged in any sexual behavior with any man outside of my marriage."



The Board of Regents, which voted to hire an auditor to look into the claims, will meet early next week to discuss a search process for a new president, according to Friday's statement from Chairman George Pearsons.



Roberts announced last month he would step aside temporarily as president, saying he and his family had suffered "heavy damage."



The controversy has drawn international attention to the private Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. E-mail to a friend
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question: When did he announce he was stepping aside?, answer: Friday, | question: What did Roberts write?, answer: resignation letter. | question: Who was fired From ORU, answer: John Swails, Tim Brooker and Paulita Brooker | question: Did Roberts give a reason for stepping aside as president?, answer: he and his family had suffered "heavy damage." | question: What did the professors allege?, answer: misconduct. | question: Did Roberts resign, answer: stepped down Friday, | question: What is Roberts accused of, answer: misconduct. | question: Who does Richard Roberts refer to when he says "I love ORU"?, answer: University