Commentary
FIFA Scandals: First sentence is eight months for wire fraud and conspiracy
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Oct 25, 2017
Trujillo had pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy and taking almost $200,000 of bribes in exchange for the commercial rights to Guatemala's home qualifiers for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, had asked to be allowed to return home, but U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen sentenced him to eight months in Federal prison.
His attorneys argued that Trujillo, who has been living in Florida since his arrest, was a minor figure in the case and had suffered enough, his judicial reputation tarnished by his indictment.
Federal sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of 33-41 months, but Chen cited the punishment of U.S. Representative Michael Grimm of New York for tax evasion in making her decision.
Trujillo, who happened to be on a family cruise when the second wave of indictments came down in December 2015, was one of three Guatemalans indicted.
Former Guatemalan soccer federation president Brayan Jimenez has pleaded guilty. A third Guatemalan, former FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero, was also indicted.
The trial of three men -- former Conmebol president Juan Angel Napout, former Brazilian soccer federation Jose Maria Marin and former Peruvian soccer federation president Manuel Burga -- is scheduled to begin Nov. 16.
Others awaiting sentencing include former Concacaf president Jeffrey Webb.
The same Federal district court in Brooklyn is where the civil suit pitting the NASL against U.S. Soccer is being heard.
That's what they all say, "suffered enough."