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UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.
A Vancouver businessman snared in a sweeping U.S. college admissions scandal is taking a leave of absence from his role as president and CEO of East West Petroleum Corp.
David Sidoo “has decided it would be in the best interests of the (company) to take a leave of absence from his executive role,” the company’s board of directors said in a news release. He remains a director of the company.
Sidoo’s lawyers have said he intends to plead not guilty to the charges against him, CTV News reports.
ORIGINAL: 7 a.m.
Premier John Horgan says he has no plans to revoke David Sidoo’s Order of B.C. before charges in the sweeping U.S. college admissions scandal are tested in court.
The Vancouver philanthropist has been accused in the scandal, along with high-profile celebrities and wealthy business types.
“Mr. Sidoo is, of course, innocent until found guilty,” Horgan told CTV News Wednesday. “I don’t feel any responsibility to do anything other than let due process run its course at this point.”
Sidoo, who is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, is alleged to have paid to have someone to “secretly take a Canadian high school graduation exam” in place of his older son in 2012.
Vancouver’s private St. George’s School is conducting an internal investigation.
“Our review of records from 2012 indicates that there were no school or provincial exams written at St. George’s School by the student in question on or around the date named in the indictment,” it said.
Sidoo is also alleged to have paid $100,000 each for someone to take SATs for both his sons.
– with files from CTV Vancouver
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