In what can only be termed a stunning announcement, earlier this week, a 47-count indictment was unsealed in a federal court in Brooklyn, charging 14 defendants in connection with their participation in a 24-year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer. All of the defendants were associated with the governing body of international soccer, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). After the indictments were unsealed the Swiss police conducted an early-morning operation in Zurich, arresting several FIFA officials and extradited them to the United States on federal corruption charges. The charges included those under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, wire fraud, money laundering, bribery, and tax evasion.
