IMG fined $1.7mil for having links to Mexican Cartel

[Trelle]

I saw this on a random Facebook post I thought was just click-bait, but a quick google proves it’s true. Apparently two kids enrolled parents are somehow linked to them, they knew I’m guessing? Anyone else see this? There’s a few articles on this I saw.

 

https://www.si.com/high-school/florida/florida-s-img-academy-fined-1-7m-for-accepting-fees-linked-to-mexican-drug-cartel-01khp892em0r

[i4football]

Academy Fine — Key Facts (2026)

Amount of Fine:

IMG Academy agreed to pay approximately $1.72 million in penalties.

Who Issued the Fine:

The U.S. Department of the Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Reason for the Fine:

IMG accepted tuition payments connected to individuals under U.S. sanctions for alleged ties to a Mexican drug cartel.

Time Period Involved:

Violations occurred roughly between 2018 and 2022.

Number of Violations:

Federal officials identified 89 separate sanctions violations tied to financial transactions.

Who Was Involved:

Two students attended the academy.

The students themselves were not accused of crimes.

The issue involved parents/guardians who were sanctioned individuals, not on-campus activity.

Nature of the Violation:

U.S. law prohibits American institutions from conducting financial transactions with sanctioned persons.

IMG failed to properly screen tuition payments against federal sanctions lists.

Government Finding:

Treasury described the conduct as non-egregious but determined IMG lacked adequate compliance controls.

Criminal Charges:

No criminal charges were filed against IMG Academy or students.

The case was handled as a civil sanctions enforcement matter.

IMG Academy Response:

Cooperated with investigators.

Implemented enhanced sanctions-compliance and payment-screening procedures.

What the Case Does NOT Mean:

❌ No cartel activity at the school.

❌ No allegations against students’ behavior on campus.

❌ Not an immigration or recruiting violation.

✅ A financial compliance failure involving international tuition payments.

Why It Matters:

Shows that schools handling international payments are expected to follow the same sanctions-screening rules as financial institutions.

[MarkECannon]

I wonder what officiating would be like if you knew it was possible that an IMG player could be the child of a Mexican Cartel parent?  
 

Jambun would have to adjust his officiating evaluations when a cartel kid might be playing.  Home cooking officiating would have a whole new meaning.

[nolebull813]

Sometimes you can do business people you never see face to face. Hell you can buy a house in another state and never see it physically and sign everything online. 
 

So they can accept kids from parents who pay money without knowing what secrets the parents hold. 
 

What if a company hires employee who has heads in their freezer? How doesn’t the company know what they secretly have in their house? 
 

And if they get caught is it fair to say “COMPANY HIRES EMPLOYEES WITH HEADS IN THEIR FREEZER!!!!!!!”

[Jambun82]

10 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

I wonder what officiating would be like if you knew it was possible that an IMG player could be the child of a Mexican Cartel parent?  
 

Jambun would have to adjust his officiating evaluations when a cartel kid might be playing.  Home cooking officiating would have a whole new meaning.

What "officiating evaluations"? 

[nolebull813]

On 2/21/2026 at 9:18 PM, Jambun82 said:

What "officiating evaluations"? 

He means it is possible that you might not throw a flag against a cartel members kid for fear that you might go missing in a Mexican desert

[MarkECannon]

3 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

He means it is possible that you might not throw a flag against a cartel members kid for fear that you might go missing in a Mexican desert

Can you envision the refs sprinting at top speed once the game is over to a SUV with security that appears to be secret service agents?  If the game is in Volusia County Jambun would be driving the getaway car.

[MarkECannon]

58 minutes ago, MarkECannon said:

 

[nolebull813]

56 minutes ago, MarkECannon said:

Can you envision the refs sprinting at top speed once the game is over to a SUV with security that appears to be secret service agents?  If the game is in Volusia County Jambun would be driving the getaway car.

I can picture “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins playing as they getaway 

[MarkECannon]

7 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

I can picture “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins playing as they getaway 

I like that.  What about “Give Me 3 Steps” by Lynyrd Skynyrd except change it “Give Me 3 Miles”.

[Jambun82]

7 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

He means it is possible that you might not throw a flag against a cartel members kid for fear that you might go missing in a Mexican desert

That will never happen because, first of all, I would never step foot in the s*** hole country, and, secondly, I would have to be a registered game official, which has never been proven on this message board. 

[Jambun82]

3 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

Can you envision the refs sprinting at top speed once the game is over to a SUV with security that appears to be secret service agents?  If the game is in Volusia County Jambun would be driving the getaway car.

That would never be in an issue with the great leadership provided in our national and state Governments, and it also assumes that I am a registered game official, which has never been proven on this message board. 

[Jambun82]

3 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

I can picture “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins playing as they getaway 

You know what was a great song by Kenny Loggins? The song from the arm wrestling movie that starred Sylvester Stallone. The movie was forgettable, but I always liked that song. 

[MarkECannon]

2 hours ago, Jambun82 said:

That would never be in an issue with the great leadership provided in our national and state Governments, and it also assumes that I am a registered game official, which has never been proven on this message board. 

Who is assuming?  You are.  And why do you keep denying that you were a registered game official?  You are the one that brings it up all the time. 

[Jambun82]

10 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

Who is assuming?  You are.  And why do you keep denying that you were a registered game official?  You are the one that brings it up all the time. 

That has never been proven, nor have I confirmed or denied that on this message board. 

[MarkECannon]

5 hours ago, Jambun82 said:

That has never been proven, nor have I confirmed or denied that on this message board. 

I have no further questions, Your Honor.

[MarkECannon]

6 hours ago, Jambun82 said:

That has never been proven, nor have I confirmed or denied that on this message board.  NOTED

[Jambun82]

7 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

I have no further questions, Your Honor.

Thank goodness.

 

[nolebull813]

I don’t think I have ever been to a football game AND knew were Jambun was at the same time. So it’s definitely a possibility that he was one of the zebras on the field at any given time. 

[Jambun82]

3 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

I don’t think I have ever been to a football game AND knew were Jambun was at the same time. So it’s definitely a possibility that he was one of the zebras on the field at any given time. 

You really believe that, don't you? 

[nolebull813]

57 minutes ago, Jambun82 said:

You really believe that, don't you? 

Do I believe you were a high school football referee at some point in your lifetime? Yes. 

[MarkECannon]

6 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Do I believe you were a high school football referee at some point in your lifetime? Yes. 

Not on this message board.  Apparently Jambun is a referee of mystery.

[nolebull813]

4 hours ago, MarkECannon said:

Not on this message board.  Apparently Jambun is a referee of mystery.

Jambun is a referee of life. He walks up to a woman in a bar talking with her guy friends and throws a yellow flag, and whistles: “TOO MANY MEN ON THE FIELD””

Jambun and the woman laugh as they walk back to his FHSAA sponsored automobile 

true story 

[Jambun82]

12 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Do I believe you were a high school football referee at some point in your lifetime? Yes. 

If you and I were ever at the same high football game at the same time, that would be the honor and privilege of your life, would't it?! 

[Jambun82]

2 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Jambun is a referee of life. He walks up to a woman in a bar talking with her guy friends and throws a yellow flag, and whistles: “TOO MANY MEN ON THE FIELD””

Jambun and the woman laugh as they walk back to his FHSAA sponsored automobile 

true story 

My repertoire with the ladies is much more extensive than that!