The news that Pat Robertson’s Regent University president Carlos Campo resigned abruptly and without explanation last Friday evening is causing some to speculate as to what might be behind the resignation, despite claims from the institution that it had nothing to do with any financial, or moral irregularities on anyone’s part.
However, the news does come just as a documentary alleging that Regent founder Pat Robertson used a refugee crisis in the 1990’s to help fund a diamond mining operation in Rwanda is also making headlines.
The film was aired at the Toronto International Film Festival and may receive legal action by Robertson, reported Mal Vincent of the Virginia Pilot last week.
That has led The Christian Post to speculate that the two issues may be linked.
“The film claims that Robertson, a Virginia Beach televangelist, exploited the Rwandan refugee crisis by using planes to advance a diamond-mining endeavor.” Given that no specifics have been released as to why Campo resigned, it is not yet known if the two issues are connected.
For now, no one seems to be talking beyond previously released statements. Campos, who reportedly was paid a base salary of about $300,000 a year also made news in 2010 when he had to defend Regent against the suggestion that it was facing money problems and struggling to stay afloat. He also states he and his family will remain in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area, as he seeks another position in higher education.
Despite a $95 million booster shot from the Christian Broadcasting Network, Pat Robertson’s Regent University is struggling for financial stability. Moody’s Investors Service predicts that the Virginia Beach school will “continue to experience deficit operating performance” that will “deplete or, at least hamper, financial resource growth” for the foreseeable future. New Regent president Carlos Campo is more optimistic but admitted to the Chronicle of Higher Education that “some fiscal challenges remain.”
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