Banker Pleads Guilty In FIFA Bribery Case, Brooklyn Prosecutors Say

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — An Argentinean banker pleaded guilty to his part in an enormous soccer scandal to bribe corrupt FIFA officials, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Jorge Luis Arzuaga, 56, pleaded guilty to laundering money for an Argentinean sports marketing business to bribing the former president of Argentina’s soccer federation, according to Brooklyn federal court officials.

Arzuaga admitted that the bribes earned profitable contracts on soccer events for Alejandro Burzaco and his sports marketing company, Torneos y Competencias S.A., said prosecutors.

Arzuaga, who worked for two Swiss banks, helped pay more than $25 million in bribes to soccer bigwigs, prosecutors said.

As part of his deal with the U.S. Attorney’s office, the Argentinean money-washer will turn over his cut of the profit — $1 million — and face charges in Switzerland for his part in the conspiracy, prosecutors said.

Arzuaga's attorneys declined a request to comment from a Daily News reporter who covered the story from the courthouse.

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