A federal judge in Brooklyn has dismissed the corruption case against former Fox International Channels chief executive Hernan Lopez and the South American media firm Full Play Group SA, clearing the way for the defendants to avoid a trial that centered on alleged bribes for broadcasting rights to major soccer tournaments.
The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen, follows a convoluted legal journey that began with a 2023 conviction, an appellate reversal in July, and a series of prosecutorial maneuvers that ultimately led the government to argue that the case no longer fit the priorities of the Trump administration.
A Shift in Prosecutorial Focus
In a written opinion, Chen accepted the U.S. Attorney’s explanation that the prosecution was not aligned with the administration’s focus on terrorism, national security, and trafficking, effectively setting aside the indictment despite earlier rulings that had upheld the convictions.
Lopez, who had expressed relief that the matter was finally resolved, saw his co‑defendant, Full Play Group SA, also benefit from the dismissal, though the legal saga remains under scrutiny as prosecutors have indicated they will not pursue further appeal.
The case highlights the broader tension between high‑profile corruption investigations in international sports and the shifting priorities of federal prosecutors, raising questions about how resources are allocated when allegations involve multimillion‑dollar deals for World Cup and other premier soccer broadcast rights.
The Justice Department’s recent filings underscore a strategic pivot toward combating threats that directly impact national security, a stance that has reshaped the landscape for cases involving corporate misconduct in global markets.
Legal analysts note that while the dismissal does not erase the earlier findings of wrongdoing, it signals a cautious approach to pursuing charges that may be viewed as peripheral to the administration’s core agenda.