Former FIFA vice president Jeffrey Webb, Argentinian-Italian marketing executive Alejandro Burzaco and Brazilian intermediary Jose Margulies pleaded guilty last year to racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies.
A US judge released transcripts on Monday of guilty pleas from three prominent defendants in sweeping FIFA corruption investigation in which they expressed regret and suggested that bribery in the organization was widespread.
In the said transcripts, the three men stated that they regret their actions and suggested that bribes were standard practice. All three, who are confined to US house arrest, will be sentenced for corruption in New York in June, Brief Report has learned.
US prosecutors have, in total, accused 40 officials and marketing executives of soliciting and receiving tens of millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in a case that has sparked an unprecedented crisis at FIFA. While a total of fifteen individuals have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors in exchange for a possible reduction in sentence.
In a letter to the US attorney's office, FIFA's lawyers requested an immediate audit of Webb's funds and assets, expressing concern that he may not have fully disclosed them to the court. Court papers complained that the former FIFA vice president kept up a millionaire's lifestyle while under arrest at the US home he may have purchased with bribes and kickbacks, World Soccer Talk reports.
According to The Times Webb, 51, confessed to receiving bribes for the sale of commercial rights for 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualifying matches and in 2012, 2013, and 2014. This includes the Copa America Centenario tournament which will be held in June.
After his confession, the court lifted his security detail and allowed him to leave his Georgia home seven days a week from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to care for his then 18-month-old son. Webb's wife is a doctor in Atlanta making him solely responsible for their child. His freedom of movement was limited to a 32 kilometer radius and he was still subjected to electronic tagging.
