Tulsa, Okla. ? Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts says he pays for his family’s personal expenses each month, contrary to allegations in a lawsuit by three former ORU professors that university money was misspent.

Roberts, in a statement issued following a two-hour meeting of ORU’s board of regents’ executive committee Friday, outlined current accountability measures for ORU and Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association finances.

The Roberts family’s expenses related to ORU or the association are charged to those organizations, and the family’s personal expenses are charged to Roberts, the statement says.

“Any expenses, including trips, errands, food, etc., deemed personal are charged back to me and are paid personally by me on a monthly basis,” Roberts said in the statement.

Former ORU professors John Swails, Tim Brooker and Paulita Brooker filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Tulsa County District Court against ORU, Roberts and three university administrators.

It includes a summary of a report allegedly developed by Roberts’ sister-in-law, Stephanie Cantese, that claims the Roberts family used ORU and Oral Roberts Ministries money for personal expenses.

The alleged expenses include remodeling of dorm rooms for Roberts’ daughters, $51,206 worth of clothes, phone bills, a soda machine exclusively for the family, meals, a teacher for the Roberts children, airplane trips, vehicle rentals, horses and more.

The regents also decided to strengthen the university’s financial accountability by retaining an additional independent auditing firm, the statement said.

“While I am confident that these ongoing efforts will confirm that the practices currently in place are complete and appropriate, I and the board of regents are committed to any and all recommendations and considerations made in order to place the university in the highest possible place beyond reproach,” Roberts said.

The statement did not explain the role of the additional outside auditing firm.

Roberts said he currently would not answer questions, at the direction of the ORU board of regents.

“I strongly wish I could answer all your questions right now …,” he said. “There is a time coming when I am willing to answer all questions.”