A father, Michael Bardwil, is suing Strake Jesuit College Prepatory School for misleading him into donating tens of thousands of dollars. Bardwil claims he contributed $40,000 dollars to the school after the school reassured him that his son would be able to attend the school. Bardwil also alleges that he was initially asked for $100,000 but he and the school later agreed to decrease the amount. However, after the donation was made, the school rejected the son’s application stating he would not be happy there. The school maintains that it keeps its admissions process completely separate from its donations department.
Bardwil insists, however, that the school misled him into believing his son would be admitted to the school if he provided this contribution. Bardwil is now suing the school for common law fraud and negligent misrepresentation. In the lawsuit he asks for his donation money back, but he does not ask for his son to be admitted to the school. There is a good chance the case could go to a jury.