Extradition request made for Webb and other FIFA officials
Jeff Webb, currently facing extradition to the US on racketeering charges
(CNS): The American authorities have made an official request to Switzerland to extradite Cayman’s Jeffrey Webb and the six other FIFA officials arrested in Zürich in May on corruption related charges. The Swiss authorities confirmed in a release that the formal requests were submitted to its federal justice office Wednesday evening, 1 July, ahead of the Friday deadline.
The seven men were arrested at the request of the US authorities on 27 May at a luxury hotel in Zürich, on the eve of the annual FIFA congress, in connection with a $150 million corruption scandal. The extradition requests are based on the warrants issued to the Swiss justice department a week before the arrests by the United States Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, which is heading up the bribery probe.
“Those suspected of paying the bribes – representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms – are believed to have received media, marketing and sponsorship rights for soccer tournaments in the United States and in Latin America. These crimes are thought to have been agreed and prepared in the USA, and payments were allegedly routed through US banks,” the Swiss authorities stated.
The Swiss FOJ explained that the seven FIFA officials will receive hearings on the extradition requests and they will have fourteen days to respond but the process could go all the way to Switzerland’s top court.
“This time limit may be extended by 14 days if sufficient grounds exist. Drawing on the request, the hearings and the responses of the persons concerned, the FOJ will then rule on extradition within a few weeks. The FOJ’s extradition ruling may be challenged before the Federal Criminal Court, as well as before the Federal Supreme Court, as the ultimate court of appeal,” the federal office said.
All seven men are understood to be fighting extradition. As a result, Webb and his FIFA colleagues, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, Nicolas Leoz, Eduardo Li, Eugenio Figueredo and Jose Maria Marin, could remain in jail in Zürich for months. The men are in separate detention centres around the city and unconfirmed reports in the international media suggest they are permitted only one visit a week and must remain behind a glass partition. They are also said to be locked inside their cells for 23 hours a day. With all of the football officials considered a flight risk, the Swiss authorities have already refused bail to one of the elderly officials, who at 83 years old is in poor health.
The US Department of Justice has indicted 18 people as part of its wide-ranging investigation, including Jack Warner, Webb’s predecessor at CONCACAF, who remains in his native Trinidad, where the US have also served an extradition request.
Already four people have pleaded guilty to corruption charges, including former FIFA executive member Chuck Blazer.
Meanwhile, the Swiss authorities are leading a separate investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Category: Crime
Given the outcome of a relatively recent high-profile trial in Cayman, it remains to be seen whether a local jury would convict Webb regardless of the evidence.
Interesting conundrum. Four have pleaded and it is highly likely that a deal has been struck.
Now, the question on each person’s mind is how long should they fight extradition, as really, they need to be first in line to get their deal in.
Don’t forget, there are people isolated in detention centres all in direct communication with the U.S. Authorities, four “unknowns” also in contact and people now elsewhere in the world all trying to get in touch.
No wonder, people here will be thinking about flying through Jamaica nowadays rather than Miami.
I would not be surprised if there are people involved who have just stayed put abroad and not made it back to Cayman.
Couple this with the Bryce Merren deal, hell, the U.S. Authorities must have had to open up a new “desk” just for the amount of information flowing in.
The chickens are not yet home to roost but there are a lot of them on the horizon, all heading this way!
You do the crime, you do the time.
The Feds work criminal cases. They have their methodical ways and means of finding out things. No Caymanian need to make contributions to cases while on US soil, for the Feds to build a case. In Webb’s case, the American has already spoken, and plea deals have prevails.
Also, investigators are everywhere doing their jobs. The USDOJ, in liaison with the Feds/Investigators, often know the basis of the allegations and evidence they need to prosecute on them.
Therefore, if you think you have a normal day without being monitored and activities duly noted– well, think again.
I hope the US comes after his friends in cayman I know quite a few that think they are untouchable many nights chatting about it and how they think the US cant find their money,,,,,, SOo stupid
I do think I will check out his home outside Atlanta and perhaps even bid on it at the forfeiture auction
Just another example of a genuine son of the soil
Agree with you regarding getting some of these untouchables, maybe JW will also talk about the local ‘web’
Untouchable? Not even in Switzerland were they untouchable. As for those “untouchables” in Cayman, try asking the individuals & families who have in recent years been summoned to US courts to answer to white collar crimes e.g. tax evasion/avoidance, money laundering, fraud, purgery & contempt of court, etc. and the Cayman Lawyers who have sured-up US lawyers to represent their Cayman clients overseas (and diligently work to save them from stiff fines & in some instances US incarceration), maybe they should tell their story to these other idiots (in Cayman) who still believe they are “untouchable”.
The USDOJ strong-arm is just what Cayman needs to iron-out the white collar crimes, that is causing a barrage of local & international problems among competing businesses, communities & families.
When is the next FATCA Deadline for Cayman, 30th June, 2015? Oops! That was this past week And, make sure those FBAR Reports are accurately filed giving full disclosure of all foreign bank accounts, real assets & investments holdings.
7:20am You are right.
…and the more they lie to the IRIS, continue to hide their offshore interests, and try to evade US law post discovery the worse things will get for them.
If you have information on the whereabouts of proceeds of crime you are obliged to report it, or you too are complicit in the enterprise. Far too many in Cayman boasting anonymously about how they could help, but feeling no obligation to do so. With the whole planet watching. It disgusts me.
His Private Jet Awaits: CONAIR ONE 🙂
How are the mighty fallen…
Again Webb, next time; become a British Prime Minister, illegally invade an oil rich country, thereafter take up an appointment of Chairman of a new oil company therein, make millions, then sail away into the sunset.
Had you done so you would be mysteriously untouchable and wouldn’t be in this mess right now.
Instead of the above, you went and (allegedly) engaged in “corrupt” activities.
– YouKnowWho
😉
P.S. You may also wanna look into some bleaching crème before embarking on my proposed plan of action.
Illegal… Had no idea you were a lawyer in international affairs…as usual caymans finest defending his corrupt little world, or rather preferring to be an “international statesman” which he can never be rather than do something about Caymans issues, which he could if he wanted to..
Yes, illegal.
(E.g. Switch the British PM with the President of Zimbabwe or South Africa and you and I both know they would have been hauled before the (western / European funded) ICC a long time ago.
Also, can you please highlight where I defended someone in my post?
There was no defending, just the usual inane hack deflecting
You mean he could do that as a black man? You know whodatis…. was surprised you are that confident he would have been able to pull that off, carry on
I think he has managed just fine without taking your advice.
Fair enough.
However, I wonder if those in our community that were clamouring over one another to shake hands and take photos with a certain someone at a recent Tennis Legends event would be as welcoming to our local boy Webb.
I doubt it as the appeal of blood-stained hands appears to be greater.
To each his own tho … old habits die hard after all.
I feel your pain whodatis.
One of your own rising to the top of both regional and global associations, high profile, destined for great things, never had to play the ” I’m a Caymanian ” card and black to boot.
And then this.
How many negative stereo types confirmed in one foul swoop? No wonder you want to change the subject but I fear this one will be coming back to haunt you for a long time.
Rather than a play of the cards you speak of, it is more accurate to say the double standards and privileges available to those that set the rules of the game a long time ago were highlighted in my initial post.
It is what it is though.
Yes, if Webb did wrong it will come back to haunt him.
However, unlike others, at least his people can rest easy in the harsh fact that justice was ultimately served.
Meanwhile Blair is buying up prime British real estate and prepping Euan for his parachute into generational UK politics.
Interestingly, there is now little difference between the legacies of Husseins and Blairs.
(You couldn’t make this stuff up.)
Racist. Idiot.
Please explain, how am I a racist. What “race” have I spoken against? Or is it because you assume I am Black and are unable to counter the issues I have highlighted?
(Yes, I know certain folks HATE when that happens.)
Idiot.
People think you are racist because you post comments like this:
” P.S. You may also wanna look into some bleaching crème before embarking on my proposed plan of action.”
I’m sure you think this comment simply reflects reality, but for most people it reflects a racist mindset. I don’t expect you to get it – objective self-assessment is not your strong point.
If I am understanding you correctly, you and your friends have opted to latch on to a mere playful (yet brutally true) side-note as a means to disregard my entire post?
That is what you consider as central and relevant to this exchange? (Speaks volumes in so many ways.)
Well, drowning men grab for anything after all.
Enjoy your holiday bub. Good luck with that national legacy being carved out by your corrupt and money obsessed British government.
P.S. I see Cameron putting on the feigned but well-honed “shock and horror” face in the wake of the Tunisia shootings. Yet not a soul in the extended government or British media has connected the gross instability of North Africa that allows for these atrocities to take place to his hands-on involvement in the removal of Gaddafi … who interestingly was great friends with you-know-who! Lol, you really couldn’t make this stuff up.
Be it ISIS in Iraq (Blair) or ISIS / terrorism in North Africa and the migrant armageddon on the seas and shores of Europe (Cameron) – we see that the UK and her European partners have directly brought about its greatest challenges on itself.
However, the govt sticks to the same old rhetoric of “the terrorists hate our freedoms and this is why they attack us” – even when it is clear the “terrorists” take issue with the foreign policies of the countries in question.
*Btw, how many in the room recall Whodatis’ stark warning of the things to come if Cameron and Hague had their way on the build up to the assassination of Col. Gadaffi.
Unfortunately there is no archive as CNS has changed its layout since, but I distinctly recall referring to Gadaffi as a “superpower” and powers should take great care. Nevertheless Whodatis was mocked out of the virtual town – but look at the situation now.
The quest for control over the world’s natural resources have always motivated western governments – and its people have always been blinded to the truth of their motivation to “uproot evil”.
**Quick Quiz: What do the 2 countries in question (Iraq and Libya) have in common?**
Cameron, Hague, and Blair all have blood on their hands in respect to the 30 innocent Brits that were inhumanely massacred in Sousse, Tunisia. (May they rest in peace.)
However, it is only the British and European people that can wake up to the truth and bring about change and a new legacy for their countries. Greece is showing the rest of the EU how it is done on the economic front today – so hopefully even greater change is to come at last.
Anyway, as this post started with FIFA and Webb there too shall it end. Yes, if he is guilty of corruption he should face justice. However, the world would be a much better place if more people would gain a better understanding of all forms of corruption and take special interest when so much is stake in terms of terrorism, regional instability, natural resources, calipha states etc.
Your choice tho. You can either decide to make a difference in your country or continue to argue with Whodatis on CNS.
What will it be?
– Whodatis
You asked a question:
” Please explain, how am I a racist.”
I answered using your own comment, which as I anticipated, you now justify by calling it ” … mere(ly) playful.”
The exchange was as simple as that.
Whether your views on the UK, Blair etc are reasonable or not, your motivation is deeply flawed, being fueled not by deep seated humanitarian beliefs, but by your racist views.
Your obsession with race is crippling.
To allow it to overshadow the pressing and crucial issues within this thread is nothing short of disgraceful.
Citizens like you are exactly the kind your corrupt government needs in order to achieve their despicable goals.
Kudos and good luck.
– Who
…I think it is more a matter of “truth hurts”.
You misguided twit
Sorry buddy.
I’m gonna have to demand you elaborate on your claims.
How exactly am I misguided? Seriously.
Can the US authorities be accused of treason in the LA?
Reality bites for the FIFA crew detained in Switzerland. Now then…corruption, fraud & money laundering in a U.S. territory, if & when convicted probably facing 30 years in jail…depending on the breaks.
Huh?
“The US Department of Justice has indicted 18 people as part of its wide-ranging investigation, including Jack Warner, Webb’s predecessor at CONCACAF, who remains in his native Trinidad, where the US have also served an extradition request.”
**There were, initially, 14 persons indicted when the ‘FIFA Corruption Scandal’ news first broke; now, there are 18…Who are the additional 4 persons indicted?