DOJ seeks dismissal in FIFA TV-rights case
The Justice Department has asked U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen to dismiss charges against Hernan López and Full Play Group in the FIFA TV‑rights case, with EDNY U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella saying the dismissal is sought “in the interests of justice.” The move follows a convoluted 2024 procedural history — jury convictions, Judge Chen’s subsequent acquittal and an appeals court’s reinstatement of the convictions — and the Solicitor General has urged the Supreme Court to hear López’s appeal, reverse the reinstatement and remand so Chen can dismiss the case.
📌 Key Facts
- EDNY U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella sent a letter Tuesday to Judge Pamela Chen asking the court to dismiss charges against Hernan Lopez and Full Play Group “in the interests of justice.”
- The filings are part of the Justice Department’s move to drop charges in the international soccer corruption case.
- The Solicitor General’s Office filed at the Supreme Court the same day, urging the Court to hear Lopez’s appeal, reverse the appeals court’s reinstatement of his conviction, and remand so a New York federal judge can dismiss the case.
- Background posture: juries returned convictions in 2024, Judge Chen issued a 2024 acquittal, and an appeals court subsequently ordered that the convictions be reinstated.
- The DOJ’s latest request to dismiss comes after the appeals court’s reinstatement of the 2024 convictions; key actors in the filings are Hernan Lopez, Full Play Group, EDNY U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Judge Pamela Chen, and the Solicitor General’s Office.
📰 Sources (2)
Justice Department moves to drop charges in international soccer corruption case
New information:
- EDNY U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella sent a letter Tuesday to Judge Pamela Chen asking to dismiss charges against Hernan Lopez and Full Play Group 'in the interests of justice.'
- The Solicitor General's Office filed at the Supreme Court the same day, urging the Court to hear Lopez’s appeal, reverse the appeals court’s reinstatement of his conviction, and remand so a New York federal judge can dismiss.
- The article reiterates the current posture: 2024 jury convictions, Judge Chen’s 2024 acquittal, and a subsequent appeals court order reinstating the convictions before the DOJ’s latest move to drop the case.