Ken Bensinger: COURT ORDERS RESTITUTION

Breaking: judge in U.S. soccer corruption case rules that FIFA is due just $108K in restitution; Concacaf $1.7 million; and Conmebol $783K. It’s huge rebuke to the three entities, which originally requested $150 million as victims of the corruptions of their former officials.

Although Judge Chen agreed that organizations were victims, she strongly disagreed with their claims for losses, calling FIFA’s claims, in particular, “patently frivolous” and arguing that the hourly rates billed by the American law firms were exaggerated.

The total, $2.63 million, is to be divided among the many people convicted in the case, but in particular Juan Angel Napout, currently serving 9 years in federal prison, owes $356K; and José Maria Marin, serving 4 years, owes $137K. The two men must also split $21K.

The total, $2.63 million, is to be divided among the many people convicted in the case, but in particular Juan Angel Napout, currently serving 9 years in federal prison, owes $356K; and José Maria Marin, serving 4 years, owes $137K. The two men must also split $24K.

Throughout the 32-page ruling, it’s evident that Judge Chen found the American law firms Quinn Emanuel (representing FIFA and Conmebol) and Sidley Austin (representing Concacaf) billed far above acceptable rates and, in some cases, provided little to no value.