Private school attended by David Sidoo's sons launches internal investigation

VANCOUVER - A prestigious Vancouver private school says it's conducting an internal investigation into an allegation linking the parent of two former students to what American authorities are calling the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted.

David Sidoo – a former Canadian Football League player and prominent Vancouver philanthropist – is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in Massachusetts.

An indictment alleges that Sidoo paid someone $100,000 on two separate occasions to secretly take the SAT on behalf of each of his sons, and also paid for a falsified high school graduation test.

Both of his sons attended St. George's School, which issued a statement saying it had only just learned of the allegations but takes the matter very seriously.

The allegation has not been proven in court and Sidoo's lawyer Richard Schonfeld says in a statement that it comes with the presumption of innocence.

Nearly 50 people are charged as part of the investigation dubbed Operation Varsity Blues, including Hollywood actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.

Editor's note: A spokesperson told CTV News there were no ministry directives in place in 2012 regarding identification being required for provincial exams. A policy was put in place in 2014 making photo ID a requirement.

The Ministry of Education could not comment on the Sidoo case.