First of all let me say Jeffery Webb and Costas Takaas have been accused only with taking bribes, kickbacks, wire fraud and money laundering. Nothing has been proved and they are innocent until then.

However, the 164 page indictment against them is damning.

When Webb took over the position as President of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) he promised he would reform the organization.

Me, along with many of us believed him.

Up until yesterday I was so proud of him.

His family is well known to my wife, Joan, and although I cannot say I am a friend of Jeff I have met him many times. Polite, engaging, listens to you, and I liked him.

Costas Takaas I knew better if one means being in his company. I knew very little of his private and business life except he looked after overseas companies. He once worked in the same office as Joan. What he did she never knew. I knew him through the Cayman Drama Society and I directed him in Fawlty Towers when he played Manuel. I liked him and he was easy to direct.

Not in my wildest dreams would I have ever though either man would be prone to be involved with others in taking millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks and being involved in the laundering of the cash through Cayman-based firms and local banks.

I have to ask – Why?

Neither of them in the days I knew them when they were both involved enthusiastically in running the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) appeared to be short of money. They were both part of the leadership to get CIFA recognised by CONCACAF.

The following is taken from the US Department of Justice Indictment against them:

“The change in administration at CONCACAF and CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) did not usher in an era of reform at those organizations. Instead, the new leadership continued to engage in criminal schemes in violation of their fiduciary duties.”

“In early 2012, the defendant Jeffrey Webb, who had long been the president of CIFA (Cayman Islands Football Association), emerged as a candidate to succeed the defendant Jack Warner as the next CONCACAF president. Co-conspirator #4, then an executive at Traffic USA (a sports marketing firm deeply involved in the alleged corruption scandal) supported Webb’s candidacy by causing $50,000 to be paid from Traffic USA’s operating account to a Caymanian company controlled by the defendant Costas Takkas, a long-time associate of Webb and the former general secretary of CIFA. “

“The conspirators engaged in conduct designed to prevent the detection of their illegal activities, to conceal the location and ownership of proceeds of those activities, and to promote the carrying on of those activities. The conduct engaged in by various members of the conspiracy included, among other things: the use of ‘consulting services’ agreements and other similar types of contracts to create an appearance of legitimacy for illicit payments; the use of various mechanisms, including trusted intermediaries, bankers, financial advisors, and currency dealers, to make and facilitate the making of illicit payments; the creation and use of shell companies, nominees, and numbered bank accounts in tax havens and other secretive banking jurisdictions; the active concealment of foreign bank accounts; the structuring of financial transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements; bulk cash smuggling; the purchase of real property and other physical assets; the use of safe deposit boxes; income tax evasion; and obstruction of justice.”

The money involved is considerable. And the corruption goes back 25 years before Webb and Takaas got involved.

Just one set of bribes involving tournament rights was around $110M to be paid to Webb, along with Eugenio Figueredo, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin, Nicolás Leoz and several other soccer officials.

Takkas would appear to be the man who funneled the monies and even used an account he had in Cayman at Fidelity Bank for a transaction.

To read the whole Indictment go to: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nine-fifa-officials-and-five-corporate-executives-indicted-racketeering-conspiracy-and

My stomach turns over in knots just reading it.

US Attorney General Lynch said in a press release, “The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States. It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks. And it has profoundly harmed a multitude of victims, from the youth leagues and developing countries that should benefit from the revenue generated by the commercial rights these organizations hold, to the fans at home and throughout the world whose support for the game makes those rights valuable. “

Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) said, “When leaders in an organization resort to cheating the very members that they are supposed to represent, they must be held accountable. Corruption, tax evasion and money laundering are certainly not the cornerstones of any successful business. Whether you call it soccer or football, the fans, players and sponsors around the world who love this game should not have to worry about officials corrupting their sport. This case isn’t about soccer, it is about fairness and following the law. IRS-CI will continue to investigate financial crimes and follow the money wherever it may lead around the world, leveling the playing field for those who obey the law.”

I said yesterday in my Editorial on the same subject the accounts of CIFA are not audited. Actually, they used to be but have not been for some time. I do not know why and when it stopped. However, in view of this scandal and the one involving Canover Watson, another Caymanian, member of FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee and a Vice-President of CIFA, I strongly insist they are. And the audit should go back to the last audit if any of these men were involved. Even if it is just for the whole football loving members of these islands’ peace of mind.

However, I have to also ask again, if these men love football so much, reach positions demanding trust, are respected in the community and in the case of Jeffery Webb much applauded –

WHY?

Why would they do this?

G-R-E-E-D!!

I pray that the charges  against Webb and Takaas are unfounded and their good names will remain that way. I am sure they will have the best lawyers working for them.

Spare a thought for the Webb family here in Cayman and what they must be going through at this terrible time.

Please pray for them and keep them strong.

And lest we get carried away, as I started this Editorial one is innocent until proven guilty and Jeffery Webb and Costas Takaas have been accused only. We haven’t heard their account yet.

Canover Watson has pleaded “Not Guilty” to his charges.