US Drops Charges Against Hernan Lopez in FIFA Bribery Case

BREAKING: Federal prosecutors in New York have just announced the dismissal of all charges against Hernan Lopez, a former employee of Fox, and Full Play Group, in a major victory amid the ongoing FIFA bribery scandal. This pivotal decision marks the end of a lengthy legal saga concerning broadcasting rights for the World Cup and other significant soccer matches.

In a letter filed today with U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella stated that the charges should be dropped “in the interests of justice.” This move comes as the Justice Department seeks to reverse a prior appeals court ruling that reinstated the convictions against Lopez and Full Play, which had been previously acquitted.

Lopez was found guilty in 2024 on serious charges including money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud related to bribing officials for lucrative broadcasting rights. Full Play Group faced additional convictions for its involvement in the scandal. Earlier this year, a federal appeals court reinstated these convictions after Judge Chen granted a motion for acquittal.

The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications on sports broadcasting and corruption within international soccer. The Biden administration’s Justice Department has now taken a decisive step to dissolve the charges, raising questions about accountability in such high-profile cases.

In its filing, the Solicitor General’s Office recommended that the Supreme Court should hear Lopez’s appeal and dismiss the charges, calling for the case to be returned to a New York federal judge for final resolution. The implications of this decision could resonate throughout the sports and media industries as they navigate the fallout from this scandal.

As the situation develops, many are left wondering how this will affect the integrity of sports broadcasting and the future of similar cases. CBS News has reached out for comments from Lopez’s representatives, but no response has been received thus far.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as it could reshape the landscape of sports broadcasting and legal accountability in the industry.