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.
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.