NEW YORK — Former Brazilian soccer federation president Jose Maria Marin is having trouble coming up with the $1 million he is to post as part of his bond on federal corruption changes.
Arrested in Switzerland in May while preparing to attend at the FIFA Congress, the 83-year-old was extradited to the United States and pleaded not guilty on Nov. 3 to charges of racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie set bond at $15 million, including $1 million in cash, a $2 million corporate surety bond and a mortgage on a Manhattan apartment. All were due to be given to the court’s clerk by Nov. 6.
While the mortgage was submitted, Marin’s lawyers asked for extensions to submit the cash and corporate surety bond.
"We had hoped to post the $1 million cash component today, but ran into some difficulty," Charles A. Stillman, a lawyer for Marin, wrote to Dearie on Monday. "A bank check in the amount of $769,000 will be filed with the clerk of the court tomorrow and the balance by Friday, April 4. With respect to the $2 million dollar surety bond, a letter of credit has been obtained from a Brazilian bank and we are working with the surety to finalize the issuance of the bond. I remain hopeful that will be accomplished by Friday, April 4, or within a short time of that date."
Stillman asked that security for the bond be modified. He also said Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel P. Nitze told him the government does not consent to the change.
Marin is among 14 soccer officials and marketing executives indicted on corruption charges. The U.S. government investigation is ongoing.