Football execs found guilty in fraud case
(CNS): Canover Watson has been found guilty of all charges against him in the football fraud case, while his colleague and friend, Bruce Blake, has been found guilty of two of the four charges against him for his part in the scam against CONCACAF. After a twelve-week trial, the jury returned their unanimous verdict on Friday afternoon after more than nine hours of deliberation over two days. Watson, who has a previous conviction for a similar fraud on the Health Services Authority, is facing a lengthy jail term but both he and Blake were bailed until sentencing in the New Year.
Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale dismissed the jury and thanked them for what she said was their extraordinary service over the nearly three months the trial lasted. She then heard submissions from the crown and the defence attorneys regarding pre-sentencing reports and a potential confiscation hearing. The men were bailed, but only Watson was given a reporting condition until the sentencing hearing on 19 January.
The jury found Watson guilty of secret commissions in relation to three false invoices for US$1,540,900 paid to Watson by CONCACAF for football kit that was never supplied. The remaining money laundering and false accounting charges related to the actions Watson took to hide and move the money around, including creating loans that were changed to sponsorship deals through the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA).
Blake was also charged with money laundering, but the jury found him not guilty of those counts. However, he was convicted of false accounting in relation to the CIFA audit.
Both men had denied all the charges. Watson claimed the invoices, which were signed off by CONCACAF officials, were legitimate business deals and that the loans were to help CIFA and ensure there were no barriers to Jeff Webb, his former business partner and long-term friend, becoming FIFA president. Blake claimed he was helping out his friend and trusted Watson when he asked him to do things.
For more details about the case see previous articles on CNS:
Attorneys battle over truth in Watson-Blake case
Blake denies laundering Watson’s ‘stolen’ cash
‘I’m innocent’ claims Watson after week on stand
Crown: Watson stole $1.54M in football invoice fraud
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
So that we inderstand the jury and the judge. CIFA got “stolen money” from Watson. Watson need to pay back the money but CiFA get to keep it. Dont make sense. Watson pay twice and CiFA gets free money….nonsense
They were probably just tired that day.
Let’s cut thru much of the BS. CIFA is a charity that files accounts. Before our wise government sports minister and the gullible public make any further donations can we please see the accounts. Last time I saw them CIFA was insolvent,
Embarrassments to our country…..the same place that took them in. After they serve their time, revoke their status and deport.
Merely reinforces the perception of a criminal jurisdiction.,..our politicians continually break local laws and our financial services enable tax evasion and money laundering.
You don’t think FIFA knows all about this?! Not that I expect anything from that overtly corrupt organisation.
Webb has quite a few persons fronting businesses for him.Have been for s long time
Who?
Captain Obvious?
Aye Aye.
Match of the Day!!
Crooked Football Officials vs The Legal System.
Jail Term Score – Watson 2 : Legal System 0
Blake 1 : Legal System 0
Webb 0 : Legal System 0
Seems like Webb maintains the advantage!!! Disgusting POS!
Hate is an unkind masters
You are not getting the singular or the plural context correct, unless you were going intentionally for bad grammar.
Hate are an unkind masters.
Bring Jeff back! He should get a contract to supply HMP Northward with enough bread to pay for all their stays!
I have a real problem with CIFA. This is a body which was established in the sixties and now registered as a charitable organization. I recall happy days playing for Scotiabank in the early seventies. Football developed over the years but somehow the organization went seriously wrong.
The blame rests squarely on the board of directors who were chosen by the clubs. In turn it is arguable that the clubs themselves were at fault.
In my personal experience there was an abundance of players out there that would have been very suitable people to serve on any committee or board of directors. Many were professional people such as bankers, lawyers and accountants.
In later dates accounts were prepared by and approved by the CIMA board. Obviously certain members of the board were corrupt whilst others overlooked the false accounting. Nevertheless these accounts were forwarded to the clubs at the time of the AGMs of such clubs. They too are remiss in not looking closely at the ill prepared accounts.
An astute reader would have found more red flags in the accounts that red cards you see every Saturday.
The blame lies with the CIFA board, the clubs and above all the accounting firms for auditing CIFA and failing to spot the serious shortcomings in the annual financial statements and in the case of one firm, not declaring a serious conflict of interest.
I do hope the Registrar is taking a close look at all accounts filed by non profit organizations, but I suspect this is not the case. From my inspection of CIFA accounts it remains insolvent to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars. So I suggest he starts right there.
Many of us share your frustration with what has been shamelessly deprived from the kids, and the great game, while also recognising there are (still) two thriving worlds in Cayman running concurrently. One is a truth-telling, law-abiding, compliance hoop-jumping, and for all appearances a legitimate world of activity, and the other isn’t interested in those things, and continues to enjoy high-level impunity. CIFA, and some of the Clubs (and leadership) straddle these two worlds of Cayman. One world quite safe and comfortable, the other, grades of danger and retribution, beyond the pitch. Those with eyes can register the very high level of ambient corruption tolerated in the political world of Cayman life, and when these gatekeepers/perceived donors are directly consenting and/or favouring/involved, it’s difficult to quantify just how much damage raising one’s hand could spell. Even harder to locate an agency willing to genuinely tackle it all with resources, thus pervasive low confidence in justice-seeking. It’s much safer for the principled to continue kicking the ball when they can, smiling, while also secretly holding their nose from the stench.
If FIFA finds out about this, more than likely both of them will be banned from holding any office in FIFA or CIFA before January 1, 2023.
And Cayman will be hosting the next World Cup.
With a similar human rights record to this year’s hosts.
Can someone explain why they would get bail?
To get affairs in order before sentencing.
You’d think Canover could do that in about an hour, after all, he’s had enough practice at it.
They got friends in high places!
Low places too.
For the same reason Public Beach is openly allowed to go to shit. We do not do enforcement around here.
So they can flee the jurisdiction
To get thier personal affairs in order. Say thier good byes and such. They are going away for a long long time.
Don’t speak too soon. Even with mounting evidence & quilty pleas the sentencing may often times baffle you. So, hold that thought, and– wait.
Hope the sentence is to the maximum allowed by law for these two scam artists. Good times over dudes!
Worked with Watson once upon a time. He gave me the chills. You could feel dishonesty. You could feel the slime. He definitely did this and deserves whats coming to him.
7:52am,don’t leave Mr Blake out of your comment,
I interviewed with him once….total slime ball
And if he’s being scapegoated what will you say?
Becareful what you wish for other people….
If he has information to share, now might be the time.
like he was scapegoat for CarePay? Wonder which frauds haven’t been exposed? Any fake invoices charged to clients of the admin company he ran?
Everyone realizes he literally wrote the work permit fee schedule in the immigration regulations, right? There are some real gems in there – of obvious direct benefit to “friends.” It sure as hell looks like corruption to me – but after 15 years of reporting it and no action being taken – I must be mistaken.
There are other CIFA executives who had inside info and were complicit in all the corruption at the time. In sharp contrast to their prior behavior posturing before the shite hit the fan, they now fly low to the ground or have actually gone underground. They now walk stealthily among us and talk about our Caymanian Youth. I guess they are waiting for another opportunity that would soon come? Sadly they are smooth talking conmen and grifters who promise MLA’S to deliver votes.
Wish that you and anyone else that has any info in this matter would provide it to the ACC. They need more information from the public to bring all other parties involved in this ring of deceit to justice.
I have reported relevant information for more than a decade – to no effect. How many times must I do so? At what personal cost?
#Leggewasright.
Yeah right. Like they are the Untouchables…how many people have been prosecuted by the ACC at all? Do you think they have any shortage of blindingly obvious cases to investigate, like police not breathalyzing drivers involved in a single car accident? The ACC is only interested in the occasional token demonstration of some junior official taking a bribe.
why do well qualified and well placed caymanians all think they have to scheme and connive, in order to get on in life ? They are already miles ahead of the rest of us thanks to their education and opportunities. Their bad attitude and lack of integrity sets a poor example for the hardworking majority, and makes us all look like grubby crooks, gangsters and fixers. Long may these 2 rot in jail.
It’s the pirates blood Matey
Neither descends from any Caymanian.
It’s called greed.
It’s called GREED!
Predjudice and Political!!!!!
When do we start asking for them to get deported?
Now, if their status is capable of revocation.
Revoke their status and send them to do time where they came from.
What happened to other guys that were also included in their entourage?
Watson… Cayman Politicians star boy.
When did Concacaf becomes CI Govt business?!!!!
No man, can’t be a Caymanian because only Jamaicans can be criminals.🙄
Bruce is Jamaican.
So is Watson.
Lol Brilliant
And yet he was Young Caymanian of the Year and was everyone’s local darling when he was saying he was making good legal money…
Never my local darling.
Bruce is Caymanian
Got proof?
And the Americans, Brits, Canadians and South Africans.
The two men found guilty are jamaican with caymanian status.
And we have had our share of American, Canadian and South African criminals.
Crime knows no colour or creed.
Values are what matters. It defines your character or lack there of!
Nope. Pretty much Jamaicans. Even the Caymanians in Northward are often Jamaicans. Sure, there is the odd South African or British exception. But they are usually just that, exceptions.
2.00pm As far as I can recollect the majority of Northward residents was always Caymanian, has it changed now?.
Statistics Dahlin. Dem goin to report Caymanians as Caymanians even if they are also Jamaican. Take Watson as an example. He is a Jamaican. He is also a Caymanian. In the statistics the fact that he is a Jamaican will be omitted.
Justice is the means by which established injustices are sanctioned
Now try Webb, the real culprit.
Webb is the biggest fish of them all.
Yes to all of you that has not yet ever sinned. When Jeff comes to the cayman island. Get a cross and put him on it like how they did Jesus. Then any of you with out sin can stone him.
Good
They are Jamaican!
Congratulations and thank you to the unbiased jury. There are still two more of Cayman’s Fab Four that should have answered for these crimes and CarePay….one is under never ending house arrest in GA and the other is a seemingly untouchable connected former government official.
who?
The UDP remnants now rehabilitated and currently in strategic roles. If it isn’t written down it didn’t happen.
We want Jeff. Bring our hero home!
The USDOJ isn’t done with him, yet. Jeff is still co-operating with the Feds. He’s in ‘goods hands’ as long as he MORE THAN adequately co-operate and stay “true” to his word i.e. don’t commit pergury. Remember: Lying to a Federal Officer is a Felony Offence that carries potential jail time. His [Jeff] objective should be to reduce that already life sentence, or near life sentence, relating to FIFA-US Law Violations.
Webbs hearing comes up next month and unlikely to be postponed again.
Chris, it’s like he’s in Guantanamo, except he has the priviledge of staying in his own palatial mansion.
Bring him home? Why ? We have too many thieves already. And he is very happy there with his money.
All of his US Assets have been seized, and many since forfeited, so I’m doubtful he has bankrolls of
disposable income. His cozy GA mansion, that he and his family allegedly still reside, is also on the USDOJ/Court forfeiture list. The Cayman Islands Government & it’s Judiciary will simply have to wait their turn, because Jeff won’t be returning home to the Islands for a while longer, until the USDOJ is done with him; or, the CIG-AG Office-Judiciary gives the USDOJ what they want in exchange for his release. I assume there is something afoot on the Cayman Islands side of things (i.e. CIG-Judiciary).
What about all their “investment” condos?
Investment Condos, where? If it is those Brickell Ave., Miami, FL Condos…they were seized & placed on the DOJ forfeiture list. Same process for all US Assets e.g. real estate, luxury cars, jewelry, bank accounts, etc. The USDOJ will disgorge the ill-gotten profits/gainsand the money returned to it’s victims i.e. entities & individuals alike.
Jeff’s Cayman asset may still be untouched but his US Assets are being sought (via USDOJ Discovery Processes) & Sanctioned by the respective NYC, GA, & FL District Courts.
Both them, Webb and all the others involved in CIFA stole for the youth of our beloved sport!
Horrible men, horrible Caymanians!
They should serve all the time consecutively!
Horrible Caymanians who just happen to be Horrible Jamaicans too.
It is obvious you people do not read. CIFA execs defraud CONCACAAF.
Where did the article say the robbed CIFA and the Cayman youths.
You all love gossip and tear people down. Learn to read and comprehend!!!
4.36pmI recollect they recd FIFA grants for local facilities which never got them.
So how was CIFA HQ built Anon?!!
Justice has been served, what else would be nice is if the Politicians that are receiving kick backs to benefit the rich and powerful’s agenda with no regard to Country could also face Justice .
If you provide it with details of what you know, I’m sure the Anti Corruption Commission will pursue these people as well. Look at who the commissioners are: non-political, non-partisan professionals or retired professionals. I doubt they are afraid of anyone.
Surely you jest! How many times has the Anti Corruption Commission cracked down on our sticky-fingered political thieves in the last 20 years ? ? ? ? ? ?
Oh grow up. “Crack down”?! The ACC isn’t Hawaii Five-O!
Don’t just sit there pretending you know all about local political corruption if you’re not prepared to do anything about it except grumble. As I said earlier, file a complaint and it’ll be investigated.
Truth is, you’re bullshitting. You have no idea of anything concrete at all, let alone evidence.
Cabinet status grants to people with no long-standing connection to the Cayman Islands?
Gasboy?
Stipend Fraud?
Commissions paid in condos?
Fronting?
Pension thefts?
All widely reported. None actioned in any meaningful way.
Are you kidding ? That’s the Cayman way of life.
INJUSTICE!!!!!
I feel sorry for Blake. I think he is more trusting and naive than he was blatantly dishonest. He trusted the mastermind thieving Watson to his own detriment. I hope his sentencing won’t be too severe.
Feel sorry for them? These men are just plain old scam artists and crooks. Put them in jail and throw away the key!
Blake needs to lose his lawyer license too.
Blake is not only a lawyer but a qualified accountant. How could he miss any of this?
Can we now move on and look into the Newlands football pitch and others involved in that fiasco.
hopefully Watson has lost his cpa by now.
And his YCLA?
You people are full of hate. Lets hope you nor your family get accused wrongfully!!!!!!
What?? Working at Maples as an Attorney and he is naive?
I agree he wasn’t the mastermind, and he probably was easily persuaded by his friend, but he knew what was going on and should serve some time (not to mention being disbarred). Watson in the other hand – this rags-to-riches YCMA recipient who was handed a golden ticket, only to steal from kids and embarrass us as a people – deserves a few years in prison and the scorn of Cayman.
5.24 shows the mindset that explains why the jury system is so messed up and why getting a conviction when the accused is Caymanian is so hard.
I am sorry but the naive one here is you.
Bruce is an intelligent man and definitely not naive. The naive was the game he played in court to get the jury to let him off.
I know both of these guys going all the way back to my young teens. Was in their classes. They are scary smart and maybe too smart for their own good.
This actually saddens me to no end but in a sense happy to see justice served.
Sometime when you set out to fool everyone the one that gets fooled is you.
8:38am They got caught so they are not smart!
Complacency is a hell of a thing.
From meeting Bruce, I hope that leniency is shown. I couldn’t imagine him doing this. While hard to believe, I hope it was through being naïve, although it was never seen by me I mean. In that photo he does look quite lean and I don’t mean to be mean.
I wish the world as whole looked into the football associations, gangsters and bribes, feeding people lies. Qatar World Cup 😂 I’ve lived there, I’ve seen the jails there.
He was an accountant and a lawyer – literally trained to understand, assess, analyze, investigate. He was no simple minded lay person. He knew better.
We should decide all cases by jury
I think we were lucky with this jury.
Just like McKeeva’s case.
Webb, Watson, and Blake have no idea how they have tarnished Cayman on the world stage. It has not been an easy road for those involved in sports on island with this ongoing case. Unfortunately it’s the athletes that suffer from their greed.
Oh there’s one more we dare speak of…..spouse and friends in high places.
Bruce is a good guy I actually believe him
Why would he get himself mixed up with that criminal. Watson should not ever see the light of day again.
7:52am,don’t leave Mr Blake out of your comment,
5:25pm, neither should Blake.He is as guilty as the others.
I believe him as far as I can throw him.
The grave yard is full of nice guys!
I like Bruce and I like Canova BUT thats on a personal level.
It seems sound enough a case to me that they did all they are accused of.
Do not make the naive plea fool you. They both knew EXACTLY what they were doing.
Do you think Maples hires idiots. He was an attorney not a janitor.
Canova was an accountant. He had his own finance business.
Neither of these guys was short on brain power. They are both really really smart. But OBVIOUSLY book smart not street smart.