BREAKING: Federal prosecutors in New York have just announced the dismissal of bribery charges against Hernan Lopez, a former Fox employee entangled in the infamous FIFA bribery scandal. This critical decision marks the end of a lengthy legal battle over broadcasting rights for the World Cup and other significant soccer events.
In a motion filed on October 3, 2023, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella recommended that charges against Lopez and Full Play Group, the Argentine sports media rights company involved, be dropped “in the interests of justice.” This move comes as federal prosecutors aim to overturn a previous appeals court decision that reinstated Lopez’s convictions.
The Justice Department has emphasized the need for the Supreme Court to hear Lopez’s appeal, which could potentially reverse the appeals court’s decision and lead to a dismissal of the case by a New York federal judge.
Lopez was convicted in 2024 on multiple counts, including money laundering and conspiracy, after a jury in Brooklyn found him guilty of paying tens of millions of dollars in bribes to secure broadcasting rights to the World Cup. Full Play Group faced additional counts related to the same conspiracy.
This announcement comes on the heels of a federal appeals court’s order earlier this year, which reinstated the convictions after a motion for acquittal was granted by Judge Pamela Chen. The ongoing legal saga has drawn significant media attention, and CBS News has reached out to Lopez’s representatives for further comments.
This development is crucial for the future of broadcasting rights within international sports and could have wide-ranging implications for similar legal cases. The decision illustrates a significant shift in the Justice Department’s approach under the current administration, potentially signaling a reevaluation of past convictions related to high-profile corruption cases.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court to see how they will respond to the Solicitor General’s recommendation. Legal experts suggest that the implications of this case could reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting and legal accountability in high-stakes international events.
Stay tuned for updates as we monitor this evolving story, which could have lasting effects on the integrity of sports broadcasting rights and the legal frameworks surrounding corruption in international sports.
