Aaron Davidson, Racketeering and Corruption, New York 2015

Aaron Davidson, a 45-year-old American sports marketing executive, has pleaded guilty to racketeering and corruption charges in connection with a scheme involving the payment of bribes to high-ranking soccer officials. Davidson, who served as president of Traffic Sports USA, Inc., a Miami sports marketing company, agreed to and paid bribes totaling over $14 million to secure media and marketing rights to international soccer tournaments and matches. The guilty plea was announced in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, where Davidson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for each count.

As part of his plea, Davidson agreed to forfeit $507,906.84. The guilty plea is part of an ongoing investigation into corruption in international soccer led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the FBI New York Field Office, and the IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office. Prosecutors in Brooklyn are receiving assistance from attorneys in various parts of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division in Washington, D.C.

Davidson joined Traffic USA in 2003 and initially worked in sales before rising to the position of president. During his time at the company, he was involved in multiple criminal schemes, including the agreement to pay and payment of bribes to high-ranking officials of FIFA, CONCACAF, the Caribbean Football Union, and one of FIFA’s national member associations. The bribes were paid in exchange for lucrative media and marketing rights to international soccer tournaments and matches, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the CONCACAF Champions League, and the Copa América Centenario.

The investigation is ongoing, and Davidson’s guilty plea is a significant step towards bringing those responsible for corruption in international soccer to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the FBI New York Field Office, and the IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office are working tirelessly to uncover the truth and hold those accountable for their actions.

Aaron Davidson’s guilty plea is a stark reminder of the corrupt practices that exist in the world of international soccer. The payment of bribes and the manipulation of media and marketing rights are serious crimes that undermine the integrity of the sport. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that the sport is played fairly and honestly.

The guilty plea was announced by Robert L. Capers, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Orlando, IRS-CI Los Angeles Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan M. Norris, Amanda Hector, Paul Tuchmann, Nadia Shihata, Keith D. Edelman, and Brian D. Morris of the Eastern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution.

Aaron Davidson’s case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in international soccer. The sport must be played fairly and honestly, and those who engage in corrupt practices must be held accountable. We will continue to work towards a more transparent and honest sport, and we will not rest until those responsible for corruption are brought to justice.