Jesuit school sued over alleged donation mishap

HOUSTON

Michael Bardwil, an alumnus of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School says he was first approached by a few of the school's staff members and volunteers in 2006. At that time, they were raising money for improvements to the campus. He says they knew he wanted his son to attend Jesuit.

According to the lawsuit, after several meetings and discussions, one of the school's fundraisers told Bardwil that the school was getting harder to get into and a contribution was important to ensure his son's acceptance into the school.

Bardwil pledged to pay $50,000 over five years and says he was told this would ensure his son would be admitted. Well four years and $40,000 later, his son was rejected from the school.

Bardwil says when confronted the school president, Father Daniel Lahart told him for the first time since the contributions were solicited, the admissions committee made decisions without knowledge of contributions.

Strake Jesuit's spokesperson told Eyewitness News the school will not comment on pending litigation.