Hernan Lopez Breaks Silence as Federal Bribery Case Ends
Hernan Lopez received a phone call at home in April 2020 that changed his life. He learned he was about to be indicted by federal prosecutors in New York, caught in a long-running white-collar corruption probe related to TV rights deals involving FIFA and other leagues and sports.
Lopez, the founder of the Wondery podcast network and former head of Fox International Channels, was accused of participating in a bribery scheme to secure sports rights for Fox outlets in the U.S. and abroad. Despite his steadfast denial, a federal jury convicted him in March 2023, along with the sports marketing firm Full Play Group.
However, in September 2023, U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen granted Lopez's motion for acquittal and overturned the conviction of Full Play. A federal appeals panel overturned Chen's decision in July 2024, but prosecutors in New York's Eastern District then dismissed the charges against Lopez and Full Play Group, marking the end of a six-year legal battle.
Lopez reflects on the toll the prosecution took on his family and how it changed him. He discusses his experience, the emotional stamina and financial resources required to endure the legal process, and the false allegations made by a cooperating defendant, Alejandro Burzaco.
Lopez emphasizes the importance of presumption of innocence and the impact of wrongful prosecution on individuals and businesses. He shares his thoughts on the jury trial, the conviction, and the eventual acquittal, highlighting the role of Judge Chen in ensuring a fair process.
The article also explores Lopez's decision to sell Wondery in 2020, influenced by the legal jeopardy, and his family's involvement in keeping the news from his children. It concludes with Lopez's new focus on his research and consulting company, Owl & Co., and his commitment to raising awareness about the consequences of wrongful prosecution.
