Judge Tosses Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec Hernan Lopez in Soccer Bribery Case
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital Editor A federal judge threw out the conviction of Hernan Lopez, former head of Fox International Channels, who had been found guilty of bribing FIFA soccer officials in exchange for a broadcasting-rights deal. “We are obviously pleased with Judge Chen’s thorough and correct decision,” David Sarratt, a lawyer for Lopez, said in a statement to the AP. “We have never stopped believing in our client’s innocence.” Lopez, who after leaving Fox founded podcast network Wondery, was convicted in March 2023 by a jury on charges that he participated in a scheme to bribe South American soccer officials in order to secure exclusive broadcasting rights for 21st Century Fox.
In addition, sports marketing company Full Play Group was found guilty for its part in the alleged scheme. In a Sept. 1 ruling, U.S.
District Judge Pamela Chen granted Lopez’s motion for acquittal and also overturned the conviction of Full Play. The judge cited in part the unanimous U.S.
Supreme Court’s decision this May to reverse the wire fraud conspiracy conviction of former Joseph Percoco, an aide to former New York Gov.
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