Investigation: Bellevue High School football boosters broke rules

SEATTLE (AP) — An investigation of the Bellevue High School football program has found that boosters paid for athletes to attend an alternative school described as a diploma mill, among other potential violations.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and Bellevue School District said in a news release Thursday that independent investigators found a series of potential violations in a six-month review.

Investigators found that Bellevue coaches directed athletes to attend the obscure Academic Institute in Bellevue and that coaches coordinated tuition payments. They also say false addresses were used to help players become eligible to play for Bellevue.

Students who attend a private school without a football team can play for a public school in their home district.

If the findings are confirmed, penalties could possibly range from probation to forfeiting state championships.