The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against IMG Academy, a renowned private school located in Bradenton, Florida, for admitting between 2018 and 2022 two children of alleged Mexican drug traffickers included on the sanctions list.
The measure, imposed by the United States Department of the Treasury, focuses on compliance with financial laws and the oversight of payments linked to individuals designated under the U.S. sanctions regime.
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Why was IMG Academy sanctioned?
According to the official investigation, the educational institution admitted students, children of individuals included in the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, linked to drug trafficking in Mexico.
For five years, the academy:
- He received tuition payments and other fees.
- Processed bank transfers mainly coming from Mexico.
- He accepted payments via credit cards and unassigned third parties.
According to the Treasury, between 2019 and 2025, IMG Academy conducted 89 transactions involving assets or rights related to sanctioned individuals, which could represent a violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations (FNKSR).
Million-dollar fine: How much will IMG Academy have to pay?
As a result of the proceedings, IMG Academy agreed to pay 1.72 million to settle the case.
The Department of the Treasury considered that:
- It was not a serious offense.
- There was no initial voluntary disclosure.
- The institution cooperated with the authorities during the investigation.
The economic sanction aims to reinforce the importance of regulatory compliance in non-financial sectors, including academic institutions.
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What is IMG Academy and why is the case relevant?
IMG Academy is a prestigious elite academic and sports training academy, known for preparing international athletes in disciplines such as American football, tennis, golf, and baseball.
It has:
- Full-time internship programs.
- Professional training services.
- University recruitment resources.
- International representation in countries such as Mexico, China, Japan, and South Korea.
The case has generated attention because the institution receives students from all over the world and maintains a strong presence in Latin America.
Treasury warns schools and businesses about sanction risks
In its statement, the Treasury emphasized that this action demonstrates the need for academic institutions and organizations from various sectors to implement risk-based compliance controls to prevent illicit actors from using educational or financial services in the United States.
The authorities reiterated that non-compliance with sanctions can result in million-dollar fines and damage the reputation of the organizations involved.
