FIFA, the world organizing body of soccer, has been hit with a major blow as the U.S. government announces a further distribution of approximately $92 million in compensation for losses suffered by the organization. The funds, which were remitted following the government’s recognition of losses and grant of remission up to a total of $201 million in August 2021, were forfeited to the United States in the Eastern District of New York as part of the government’s long-running investigation and prosecution of corruption in international soccer.
The investigation and prosecution have resulted in charges against more than 50 individual and corporate defendants from more than 20 countries, primarily in connection with the offer and receipt of bribes and kickbacks paid by sports marketing companies to soccer officials in exchange for the media and marketing rights to various soccer tournaments and events and the laundering of those payments.
“Today’s distribution of approximately $92 million underscores our commitment to returning money obtained through the corruption and fraud prosecuted in this case to the victims, where it will be used to benefit the sport,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Over much of the past decade, this investigation and prosecution has concentrated on bringing wrongdoers to justice and recovering ill-gotten gains. Our Office, working in collaboration with our law enforcement partners and colleagues, will continue our work to compensate victims of crime.”
The distribution of the funds brings the total compensation to victims to over $289 million in just two years. The U.S. government has used asset forfeiture as a critical tool in this endeavor, depriving the perpetrators of the proceeds of their crimes.
“From the beginning of the FIFA investigation and prosecutions, one of the department’s primary goals has been to make the victims whole,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. “The department has used every tool at its disposal to make this a reality, while depriving the perpetrators of the proceeds of their crimes. This distribution of approximately $92 million as compensation for losses suffered highlights the importance of asset forfeiture as a critical tool in this endeavor.”
The investigation began on May 27, 2015, when an indictment was unsealed charging 14 FIFA officials and sports marketing executives with racketeering, honest services wire fraud and money laundering offenses, among others. On December 3, 2015, a superseding indictment was unsealed charging an additional 16 FIFA officials with similar crimes.
FIFA, the world organizing body of soccer, is the primary defendant in this case. Defendant: FIFA. Crime: Racketeering, Honest Services Wire Fraud, Money Laundering. City and State: New York. Exact Date: May 27, 2015. Sentence or Outcome: Ongoing investigation and prosecution. Dollar Amounts: $92 million distributed in compensation, with a total of $289 million distributed to date. The case continues to unfold with the U.S. government working to bring wrongdoers to justice and recover ill-gotten gains.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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