One federal judge don officially cancel criminal charges against one former media executive and one Argentine sports marketing company wey involve for one big football corruption case wey don last for years.
Dem cancel di case after US Justice Department talk say to continue di prosecution no dey follow di current government priorities again. Di decision come out on di anniversary of di 2015 Swiss hotel raids wey first launch di worldwide investigation into FIFA, di international football governing body.
That first crackdown lead to charges against 14 people, exposing serious corruption for top world football level and forcing some top executives to resign. Di dropped case mark another major corporate corruption case wey federal authorities don put aside this year.
Dis one come after Justice Department earlier withdraw corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, one unusual move wey make many experienced prosecutors for Washington DC resign, including di acting US attorney for Southern District of New York.
Joseph Nocella, di US attorney for Eastern District of New York, appear alone for court and tell di judge say di Department of Justice no wan spend more resources on di matter again. He explain say this kind corporate bribery no dey among di administration current priorities, wey focus more on terrorism, national security threats, drug trafficking, human trafficking and violent gangs.
During di hearing, US District Judge Pamela Chen point out say Nocella stand alone for prosecution table even though him team bin ready for di proceedings. Nocella reply say na because na him personally sign di official motion to dismiss di case.
Di sudden end of di prosecution show one major change for Brooklyn federal prosecutor office, where dem bin dey see di case as one of dia biggest international white-collar crime matters. For official court documents, di Justice Department clarify say di decision to drop charges against Hernan Lopez, former CEO of Fox International Channels, and Full Play Group SA na only for this specific case.
Government still emphasize say dem no dey try overturn or change previous convictions or guilty pleas wey other defendants collect over di past ten years. Lopez and Full Play Group bin face accusation say dem arrange tens of millions of dollars as bribe to South American football officials to secure profitable long-term media and broadcasting rights for major tournaments, including World Cup.
Federal jury convict both defendants during 2023 trial. After di trial, Judge Chen overturn di guilty verdict based on narrow interpretation of federal fraud laws. Although di 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals later reverse her decision and restore di convictions, di legal battle continue until di Justice Department step in for December and request complete dismissal of di indictment.
As Lopez dey leave Brooklyn federal courthouse after di decision, he express relief immediately, saying one stressful six-year ordeal wey no suppose start from di beginning don finally end.
