Canadian families are suing sperm banks after they discovered a donor believed to have fathered 36 children was not the 'genius' they had been led to believe. .

The donor, who was said to have an IQ of 160 and a Master’s degree, turned out to be a convicted felon with mental illnesses.

According to the lawsuit, the donor was falsely characterized and improperly screened by two Canadian sperm banks, Xytex Corp and and Genesis Fertility Centre Inc.

Xytex’s website claimed the donor had a genius-level IQ of 160, a Master’s degree and was said to be working towards a PhD in neuroscience engineering.

Donor #9623, as he was identified, was said to have an “impressive health history" and is believed to have fathered 36 children.

Internet research subsequently revealed that in reality Donor #9623 had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, narcissistic personality disorder, a drug-induced psychotic disorder and significant grandiose delusions.

In addition, donor was arrested several times, hospitalized for mental health reasons and had no degrees, according to court documents.

The families are seeking unspecified, punitive, aggravated and/or exemplary damages. The first family has three children all fathered by donor #9623. One of their children has suffered “significant” mood disorders, according to the couple.

A business consultant working with Genesis Fertility Centre, Nigel Terret, said the lawsuit was “all news” for him, according to Vancouver Sun.

“You caught me a little off guard,” he said.