FIFA executive arrested on cruise ship

ArchiveDec 6, 2015

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José Margulies, the controlling principal of Valente Corp. and Somerton Ltd. who served as an intermediary to facilitate illicit payments between sports marketing executives and soccer officials, pleaded guilty to racketeering, wire fraud and two counts of money laundering on Nov. 25. As part of his plea, Margulies agreed to forfeit more than $9.2 million.
Alejandro Burzaco, the former general manager and chairman of the board of Torneos y Competencias S.A., a sports marketing company in Argentina, pleaded guilty to racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering on Nov. 16. As part of his plea, Burzaco agreed to forfeit more than $21.6 million, DOJ said.
Roger Huguet, the CEO of Media World and its parent company, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Nov. 17. As part of his plea, Huguet agreed to forfeit more than $600,000. DOJ said a search warrant was executed Thursday at Media World, a sports marketing company based in Miami.
Fabio Tordin, the former CEO of Traffic Sports USA Inc. and currently an executive with Media World, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and tax evasion on Nov. 9. As part of his plea, Tordin agreed to forfeit more than $600,000.
Zorana Danis, co-founder and owner of New Jersey-based International Soccer Marketing Inc., waived indictment and pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and filing false tax returns on May 26. As part of her plea, Danis agreed to forfeit $2 million.

Published December 6, 2015