Bob Mackin
Prosecutors disclosed evidence to David Sidoo more than a month ago, according to a May 29 status update to the Boston court handling the college admissions scandal.
Vancouverite Sidoo, a former CFL player who became a wealthy stock market player, tops a list of 19 people named in an April 9 indictment. Sidoo pleaded not guilty on April 29 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
Dylan (left), David and Jordan Sidoo
He is accused of paying more than $200,000 for Harvard-educated tennis coach Mark Riddell to write college entrance exams for sons Dylan and Jordan Sidoo, neither of whom are charged.
If convicted, David Sidoo could face up to 20 years in prison. His next court date is June 3, but he is not required to attend.
The joint initial status report by prosecutors and defence lawyers said the government mailed discovery to Sidoo on April 25, before any of the other defendants named in the indictment. There is so much evidence, that discovery was provided on a hard drive and accompanying DVD. The joint filing, however, gave no details about what was contained on the devices sent to Sidoo.
“The government provided defendants with indexes where required and multiple databases in load-ready forms,” said the joint filing. “Defendants are currently reviewing this discovery. The defendants have requested that the government provide more comprehensive indices as required by [court rules] and the parties are conferring regarding this request.”
There is more to come and it will be provided on a rolling basis, approximately once a month.
The joint filing said the parties have requested an interim status conference on Oct. 2.
Mark Riddell (IMG)
The filing also reiterated a condition of release prohibiting defendants from contacting potential witnesses, but defence lawyers called it “vague and impracticable” because the government has not provided them a list of potential witnesses. Defence lawyers want such a list by June 30 that would be updated on a rolling basis if the government identifies more witnesses or co-conspirators.
Sidoo’s lawyer, David Chesnoff, was unavailable to comment on May 31.
Riddell pleaded guilty on April 12 to fraud and money laundering in the scheme hatched by mastermind Rick Singer, who admitted that he “created a side door that would guarantee families would get in.”
Prosecutors allege Riddell traveled from Tampa, Fla. to Vancouver and used false identification to pose as Dylan Sidoo to write an SAT [Scholastic Aptitude Test] test on Dec. 3, 2011 at a venue that has not been disclosed.
Riddell allegedly traveled to Vancouver again, to write a test on June 9, 2012 that is described in the indictment as a “Canadian high school graduation exam.”
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