The Latest: FIFA suspect extradited to US pleads not guilty

NEW YORK – The Latest on former FIFA staffer Julio Rocha, who was extradited to the United States to face racketeering charges in a sprawling bribery case.

6 p.m.

The longtime former head of the Nicaraguan soccer federation has pleaded not guilty to racketeering charges in a sprawling bribery case involving FIFA.

Julio Rocha entered the plea in Brooklyn federal court Wednesday through his lawyer, William Sullivan.

Rocha is the last of six men, including two FIFA vice-presidents, to be extradited to the United States after their arrests in Zurich last May. Another was extradited to Uruguay.

Rocha was freed on $1.5 million bail after he agreed to submit to electronic monitoring and stay at a Florida residence until trial.

His attorney declined comment outside court.

Rocha was the longtime Nicaraguan soccer federation president before leaving in 2012. That was when FIFA hired him as a Panama-based development officer for Central America.

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11:30 a.m.

Switzerland’s justice ministry says former FIFA staffer Julio Rocha has been extradited to the United States to face racketeering charges in a sprawling bribery case.

Rocha is the last of seven men, including two FIFA vice-presidents, who were arrested in Zurich last May to be extradited. Six went to the U.S. and one to Uruguay.

The Swiss federal office says Rocha was flown Wednesday from Zurich to New York, accompanied by U.S. police officers.

Rocha’s final appeal against a U.S. extradition request was rejected by Switzerland’s supreme court on May 9.

Rocha was hired by FIFA in 2012 as a Panama-based development officer.

According to an American indictment, Rocha received a $100,000 bribe from a sports marketing company linked to the sale of World Cup qualifying marketing rights.