Bank Hapoalim agrees to pay $30 million over FIFA bribery hustle

Israel’s Bank Hapoalim has agreed to pay over $30 million for its role in a bribery scheme involving world soccer officials, the US Justice Department says.

The bank has admitted helping launder some $20 million in bribes and kickbacks to FIFA soccer officials, as part of a massive conspiracy.

“This announcement illustrates another aspect in the spider web of bribery, corruption and backroom deals going on behind the scenes as soccer games were played on the field,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney says in a statement. “Bank Hapoalim admits executives looked the other way, and allowed illicit activity to continue even when employees discovered the scheme and reported it.”

The bank will forfeit $20.7 million and pay a fine of $9.3 million, the US says.