FBI Seeks Inside Account of AFA Operations, Probes Financial Flows in U.S.

Federal prosecutors and FBI agents are actively investigating the Argentine Football Association (AFA), reaching out to former senior officials in recent months. Their objective is to reconstruct the internal workings of the AFA's decision-making processes and its financial circuits, according to sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.

The U.S. Department of Justice investigators have shown particular interest in Juan Pablo Beacon, former executive president of the AFA's Federal Council. Beacon, who served as a close associate of Pablo Toviggino, allegedly participated in multi-million dollar AFA operations involving transfers to and from the United States. Documents reviewed by La Nación suggest Beacon and Toviggino issued orders, coordinated with "cueveros" (informal money changers) and involved businessmen, and even created fictitious invoices for "logistics" and other supposed services. These transactions reportedly served to extract tens of millions of dollars from the AFA through shell companies, as previously reported.

This operation allegedly involved U.S.-based companies, such as TourProdEnter LLC, owned by theater producer Javier Faroni, which received funds from intermediary companies handling the AFA's international revenue. Part of these funds were then allegedly sent to Argentina through informal exchange houses in Buenos Aires, delivered in cash. While Toviggino and Beacon offer conflicting reasons for their alleged falling out, their relationship reportedly soured, with accusations exchanged and rumors of Beacon attempting to "auction" sensitive information.

Investigators Patrick Gushue, Christopher Ting, and Michael Berger are reportedly seeking Beacon and another former AFA employee residing in Patagonia. The FBI has also interviewed businessman Guillermo Tofoni, who met virtually with investigators for three hours. The aim is to gather evidence on whether AFA operations in the United States could constitute crimes such as money laundering or fraud through the U.S. banking system.