United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced 16 indictments Thursday afternoon in the continuing investigation into corruption in international soccer.
The soccer officials, including five current or former FIFA executive committee members, are being charged with racketeering and bribery in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
Lynch said the defendants acted to solicit and receive more than $200 million in bribes and kickbacks since 1991 to sell media and marketing rights. The charges primarily focus on corruption schemes involving Central and South American soccer officials, Lynch said.
In addition, the Justice Department announced that eight officials indicted in May had pleaded guilty to similar charges.