Ex-Brazil Soccer Chief May be Sent to Prison in U.S Unless He Obtains Letter of Credit by Friday

01/14/2016 - 10h01

Just a day before the deadline set by the American courts for former Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president José Maria Marin to submit a US$2 million letter of credit, his lawyers and relatives are still having difficulties obtaining the document.

The letter is one of the conditions of Marin's continuing house arrest in New York.

It is part of a US$15 million bail package, which includes the guarantee of the apartment in New York where he lives under guard and a fee of US$1 million - both of which have been paid. If he reneges on the agreement (if he were to flee, for example), the value of the letter of credit would be claimed by the American government.

If Marin does not submit the letter by Friday (15), he is likely to lose the right to remain under house arrest and may be sent to prison. This possibility concerns his family, given that Marin has been suffering from depression in the period of over five months since he was arrested in Switzerland.

Marin, a former president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), was extradited to the United States on November 3. He is accused by the American courts of participating in a bribery scheme for the commercialization of football matches and marketing rights to competitions. He denies the charges.

The main difficulty in obtaining the letter of credit is that American prosecutors are demanding that it has the approval of an institution within the United States.

According to Mauro de Morais, one of Marin's lawyers, Marin cannot take a loan out directly in the U.S as he is not an American citizen. As such, he is attempting to obtain a letter of credit from a Brazilian company, which will then have to be guaranteed by an institution in the US.

Morais admits that this process is not easy. "In Brazil, we tried getting the letter from big institutions, without success," he said. As well as being Marin's civil lawyer, he is a personal friend of the former CBF boss.

According to Morais, there are negotiations underway with a large Brazilian insurance company, the name of which he would not reveal. This company has a partner institution in the United States, which could provide the requisite guarantee. However, the problem for Marin is that time is running out.

"If we can't get anything, the judge may set a new deadline, granting us another 30 days. Or, on Monday (18), Mr. Marin could be transferred to a common prison," said Morais.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

Read the article in the original language

	Kena Betancur - 16.dez.2015/AFP
	Former Brazilian Football Confederation president Jose Maria Marin arrives at the Federal District Court in Brooklyn