New Westminster native David Sidoo's membership in the Order of British Columbia was terminated on Friday, June 12, 2020, according to an announcement.
It’s the first time someone’s Order of B.C. has been taken away from a recipient.
“The Provincial Symbols and Honours Act governs nominations, appointments, resignations and terminations in the Order of B.C., the province's highest honour,” said a news release. “According to the act, the chancellor of the Order may terminate a person's membership on the recommendation of the advisory council and with the approval of the executive council. This process is initiated when a member of the Order is convicted of a criminal offence or when their conduct undermines the credibility and integrity of the Order.”
Sidoo was appointed to the Order of B.C. on July 26, 2016. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in a U.S. federal court on March 13, 2020.
The plea was in relation to a U.S. college admissions scandal.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleged in March 2019 Sidoo paid William ‘Rick’ Singer, the U.S. college admissions and bribery scheme mastermind, $200,000 total to have exam expert Mark Riddell take SAT tests for his sons Jordan and Dylan.
Sidoo is a prolific junior stock promoter, investor and former broker whose business dealings may be impacted by his criminal conviction because wire fraud is a “removable offense” under federal law, according to the plea agreement. As such, Sidoo’s ability to enter the U.S. in the future may be affected by his conviction. U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling noted in the plea agreement that “removal and other immigration consequences are the subject of a separate proceeding” and no one “can predict to a certainty the effect of this conviction on” Sidoo.
The University of B.C. Sports Hall of Fame member’s actions could jeopardize his sons’ graduate status.
There are no allegations that Sidoo’s sons were involved in any wrongdoing; however, colleges are reviewing present and past students connected to the scheme. Dylan graduated in cinematic arts in 2016 from the University of Southern California (USC). Jordan is a 2018 history graduate from the University of California Berkley.
- With files from Graeme Wood, Glacier Syndicated
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