Anti-Obama Filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza Resigns Following Affair Accusation

Oct. 18, 2012 — -- Dinesh D'Souza, the evangelical scholar who made a name for himself attacking President Obama in books and a movie, has resigned as president of a New York Christian college following allegations of marital infidelity.

D'Souza's departure comes just two days after the Christian magazine "World" reported that the married professor was seen sharing a hotel room and introducing another woman as his fiancee at a recent conference in South Carolina.

"After careful consultation with the Board and with Dinesh, we have accepted his resignation to allow him to attend to his personal and family needs. We thank him for his service and significant contribution to the College over the last two years," board chairman Andy Mills said in a statement.

According to "World," D'Souza had only filed for divorce from his wife in California on Oct. 4, the same day a reporter called to confront him about being seen with the other woman, confirmed by D'Souza as Denise Odie Joseph.

D'Souza did not return calls for comment, but on Wednesday posted a statement to his personal website responding to the paper's allegations.

"I met Denise three months ago. We are not and have not been having an affair. Nor did we share a hotel room in Charlotte," he said in the statement.

The Christian scholar then said that he did not know it was "considered wrong" to be engaged to someone while still married to someone else.

"I sought out advice about whether it is legal to be engaged prior to being divorced and I was informed that it is. Denise and I were trying to do the right thing. I had no idea that it is considered wrong in Christian circles to be engaged prior to being divorced, even though in a state of separation and in divorce proceedings," he wrote.

He also accused the writer and publisher of the article as executing a personal vendetta against him.

D'Souza, a rising star in conservative Christian circles, directed the high grossing documentary "2016: Obama's America," an anti-Obama film that centers on the president's childhood and Kenyan father.

The film, which earned more than $30 million, was based on D'Souza's book "The Root's of Obama's Rage."

King's College, which is located in Manhattan, is affiliated with and receives support from Campus Crusaders for Christ, now known as Cru, an evangelical ministry.

Board chairman Andy Mills will step in as acting college president.