Cayman Islands football official pleads guilty to money laundering

Former Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) general secretary, Costas Takkas, pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy in a New York federal court on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old Takkas is a former attaché of former CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. He faced charges relating to the transmission of millions of dollars in bribes paid during the official’s tenure in office.

According to documents presented in court, Webb received a $US3m bribe to guarantee media and  marketing rights for the home World Cup qualifiers of Caribbean teams during the 2018 and 2022 campaigns.  One of the marketing companies involved in the deal, Traffic USA, conspired with Takkas to secretly funnel half of Webb’s $3 million bribe through front companies and accounts which he controlled.  The other, Media World, paid approximately $500,000 of its $1.5 million bribe through a sham transaction involving a false invoice, to accounts controlled by Takkas.

Webb, who is currently under arrest at his home in Georgia, pled guilty to similar charges last year and will face sentencing later this year.

Takkas was, along with Webb, one of 14 officials arrested in Zurich two years ago.  He faces a maximum of up to 20 years in prison.

Webb sentencing hearing delayed again

- Advertisement -

More Stories

Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt donates $2 million to William Knibb Memorial ahead of Champs

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High School, with a $2...
US travel ban

US dismisses travel ban reports that include Caribbean nations

The U.S. Department of State has dismissed reports suggesting that a new travel ban could impact multiple countries, including several in the Caribbean. Despite...
Antigua and Barbuda says it will accept nationals deported from the US

Antigua PM faces US scrutiny over Russian megayacht sale

A U.S. federal judge has authorized attorneys representing a Russian woman to access financial records related to the controversial sale of a seized megayacht...
St. Vincent Guyana-Venezuela border

St. Vincent Prime Minister Gonsalves meets Maduro over Guyana-Venezuela border tensions

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has confirmed that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves traveled to Venezuela to meet with President Nicolás...
Haiti

Armed gangs in Haiti attack three news outlets in coordinated assault

Armed gangs launched coordinated attacks on three major media outlets in Haiti's capital over the weekend, escalating concerns over press freedom and the government's...
CONCACAF Gold Cup Jamaica

McClaren puts faith in homegrown talent for CONCACAF Gold Cup showdown

Jamaica’s national football team is set to take the field for the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers with an unprecedented level of local representation in...
Jamaica’s Special Olympic

Jamaica Special Olympics team returns home with unmatched success

Jamaica’s Special Olympics delegation is basking in glory after a record-breaking performance at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. The team captured an...
Michail Antonio reflects on life after life-altering car crash

West Ham’s Michail Antonio vows comeback after devastating car crash

On a stormy December day, Michail Antonio’s world came crashing down—literally. The West Ham and Jamaican international striker lost control of his Ferrari just outside...
Randy Harris’ historic rise to FIFA’s

Barbadian PM Mia Mottley hails Randy Harris’ historic rise to FIFA’s top ranks

Barbados has taken its place on football’s world stage, marking a historic breakthrough with the election of Randy Harris to the prestigious FIFA Council. In...
India Masters

Rayudu’s blazing 74 powers India Masters past West Indies for IML glory

The West Indies Masters fell short of championship glory yesterday as India Masters, led by a sensational innings from Ambati Rayudu, surged to a...

Latest Articles

Skip to content