The U.S. government has announced it is dropping charges against Hernan Lopez, a former employee of Fox, who was convicted of bribery connected to the FIFA scandal. This decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal battle over broadcasting rights for the World Cup and other significant soccer events. The U.S. Department of Justice cited the “interests of justice” as the basis for this move, recommending that the Supreme Court reverse an appeals court’s decision that reinstated Lopez’s convictions.
On October 3, 2023, federal prosecutors in New York filed a motion to dismiss the charges against Lopez and the Argentine sports media rights company, Full Play Group. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, who presided over the case, Joseph Nocella, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated that the charges should be dismissed. This action effectively ends a protracted legal struggle initiated by previous administrations to uphold the convictions, which have been subject to various appeals.
Lopez was initially convicted in 2024 by a jury in Brooklyn on multiple counts, including money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy. Full Play Group faced additional charges related to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering linked to the FIFA events. Despite these convictions, a federal appeals court previously ordered that the convictions be reinstated earlier this year after Judge Chen granted a motion for acquittal.
In filings submitted to the Supreme Court, the Solicitor General’s Office reiterated the call for dismissal, urging the high court to reverse the appeals court decision and return the case to a New York federal judge for dismissal.
The decision to drop the charges reflects a significant shift in the Justice Department’s approach to this high-profile case, which has drawn considerable media attention. As the legal landscape surrounding FIFA’s corruption scandal continues to evolve, the implications of this ruling remain to be seen, particularly for those involved in similar cases.
Attempts to reach Lopez’s representatives for comment were unsuccessful, while lawyers for Full Play Group declined to provide statements regarding the dismissal. The outcome of this case ends a chapter in the broader investigation into corruption within FIFA and its dealings.
