Sports exec accused of paying Webb bribes gives himself up
Alejandro Burzaco
(CNS): The president of an Argentine sports marketing company, which allegedly paid massive bribes to FIFA officials, including Jeffrey Webb, for rights relating to the Copa America tournaments, has handed himself into to the Italian police, according to international media reports. Alejandro Burzaco, who was indicted in the US probe, was expected to appear in an Italian court Tuesday for a bail hearing.
He had reportedly escaped being taken into custody in the dawn raids in Switzerland last month, despite being at the same hotel as the FIFA officials who were rounded up in the dramatic arrest. Last week he was named on the Interpol most wanted list, along with five other men with ties to FIFA.
Burzaco partnered with other sports marketing firms to obtain the exclusive worldwide rights to the 2015, 2019 and 2023 Copa America tournaments, as well as the 2016 centenary edition of the South American championship. They are now accused of agreeing to pay some $110 million in bribes to Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Rafael Esquivel, Jose Maria Marin, Nicolas Leoz and several other soccer officials for those rights.
Meanwhile, other reports in the US suggest that Webb has retained Edward O’Callaghan, a partner from Clifford Chance. The American Lawyer is reporting that the former CONCACAF president has hired the former federal prosecutor, who once served as co-chief of the Terrorism and National Security Unit in the US attorney’s office in Manhattan.
Category: Crime, World News
What a bunch of jerks on here! Has it ever occurred to you all that these money transactions could be legit payments for legit business? After all, sporting world entails a lot of money, which are paid through bank transactions! on the other hand, Jeff is a businessman, the Feds might be snooping in all your accounts the same way, let’s wait and hear the defence side of this sledged. I wonder how much Budwieser pays these American sport events to sell their beers! There’s over a hundred beer brand that would like to get on this money trail!
Err …. Jeff, our very own son of the soil pleaded guilty!
And they said Mr. Webb was being set up, the U.S, was picking on him,,,,,,,hmmmm,,,he sure made it bad for Cayman
I thought he was “innocent until proven guilty”. A lot of people on this blog are ready to sentence Jeff before hearing any evidence “in a court of law”.
That’s because they are letting their hatred for certain people control what should be rational thought.
He is a rat squealing on who ever he can to get a lighter sentence for himself; why do you think they are letting him stay out for all this time. Just a typical lowlife criminal who is trying to save his own ass. Well you know there is no honor among thieves! Son of the soil, I would say a piece of garbage who is only wanting to line his own pockets off of anyone or anything.
Why would he plead guilty if he did nothing wrong…he would have to be an idiot. No way on earth I would plead guilty if I were innocent.
We have to face facts people…this is real and happening. And yes to one of us a “Caymanian”. Many of us feel very badly for his family because no matter what…it must be seriously hard for them. And they are not the first nor will they be the last with family members in this position.
We all also feel terrible due to the negative impacts this brings our country, and unfortunately it make us Caymanians seem greedy and corrupt just like a few been saying. Truth is a few of us are… but majority are not. True to also say of other nationalities.
When we as individuals make poor choices in life, we have to deal with the consequences unfortunately. It will be hard on him and his family especially, but that is the nature of this beast. Wishing him and his family especially the strength to handle what the outcome might be…it doesn’t look too wonderful. He will really need their love and support during this trying period and even more so after he is sentence.
He should come clean fully and start fresh once this is all over with, even if he loses all. No amount of riches and material things, outshines your peace of mind, and the pleasure of laying your head on your pillow at night falling asleep with a clear conscience. this is even if you make just enough each month to live humbly but honestly… making it till the next pay day and starting all over again. That is how many of us did it and still do it to date…
Webb was presumed innocent until he admitted he was guilty. Admitting the crimes is very good evidence.
He was presumed innocent until he pleaded guilty in court and admitted the charges were true. Where have you been?
Sing like a canary bird.
The music may have already stopped & all the chairs taken, for Webb to have a seat. Chuck Blazer got his seat early , Jack Warner should be about ready to sit down in his seat. Any of the others at the edge of complying in the extradition order without a fight will also give up the others fighting extradition.
Warner is going to try to do anything he can to stay in Trinidad. He is likely to be of little value to the wider investigation.
CONCACAF office needs to be closed down as soon possible!
His next step is to co-operate with the police in an effort to gain a reduced sentence. Bad news for all those on the receiving end of his bribes.
Advice to Mr. Webb, you don’t want to be the only one without a chair when the music stops. Work out a plea now while you have some leverage.
Good advice, you don’t want to be the proverbial ‘one in the barrel’ when this all gets messy. Fess up and get it over with.