IMG Academy Reaches Settlement in Federal Case Linked to Sanctioned Mexican Cartel
IMG Academy has reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury for a $1.72 million fine following a federal investigation into financial transactions connected to an individual tied to a sanctioned Mexican drug cartel, according to recent reporting.
Federal authorities alleged that the Bradenton-based sports and education institution received tuition payments that were indirectly linked to a person later designated under U.S. sanctions programs. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), within the Treasury Department, enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign individuals and entities involved in criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking.
According to federal findings, the payments were connected to a student enrolled at the academy whose family member was subsequently identified as having ties to a cartel subject to U.S. sanctions. Authorities determined that the transactions occurred prior to or around the time sanctions were formally imposed.
As part of the settlement, IMG Academy agreed to pay a financial penalty to resolve potential civil liability. Federal officials noted that the case centered on compliance obligations under sanctions laws, which prohibit U.S. entities from engaging in certain transactions involving individuals or organizations placed on the government’s sanctions list.
The academy reportedly cooperated with investigators and has since implemented additional compliance measures to strengthen its screening processes and ensure compliance with federal sanctions requirements. Such measures typically include enhanced due diligence, improved monitoring of international payments, and expanded sanctions compliance training for staff.
IMG Academy, a globally recognized training destination for student-athletes, enrolls students from dozens of countries each year. The case underscores the increasing scrutiny placed on educational institutions and private organizations that conduct international business, particularly when financial transactions involve foreign nationals.
The settlement resolves the matter at the civil level and does not include criminal charges against the institution. Federal authorities emphasized that sanctions compliance remains a priority for organizations engaged in international transactions, including schools and sports academies with global reach.
