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The Argentinian banker who disbursed bribes in the FIFA scandal, José Luis Arzuaga, pled guilty to money laundering conspiracy charges in US District Court* in Brooklyn NY, on June 15, 2017, but records indicate that he will not be sentenced until next January 4, Given the general preparation period for a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report (PSI), there must be more to this story than meets the eye. There was an Information, not an Indictment, filed against him, which is an indication that he is cooperating with the Government. We are not seeing a multiple-count indictment, which would more accurately depict his role in making the illegal payments.
THE MANNER THAT FIFA OPERATES
Arzuaga, in order for the US Attorney's Office to depart below the suggested (but often followed) US Sentencing Guidelines, must provide Substantial Assistance to the United States, meaning either (1) Assist in securing criminal proceeds for the Government, or (2) Assist in providing information or evidence that results in the indictment of additional defendants in the FIFA cases. You can therefore, expect to see additional indictments, as his testimony, before one or more Grand Juries, is probable.
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* Case No.: 17-CR-313 (PKC) [EDNY].
Chronicles of Monte Friesner - Financial Crime Analyst
Contributed by Kenneth Rijock - Financial Crime Consultant
