Head Of Former Waltham-Based Youth Soccer Pleads Guilty To Fraud

WALTHAM, MA – The former chief operating officer of Global Premier Soccer, a now defunct youth soccer organization formerly based in Waltham, pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection with a wide-ranging visa fraud conspiracy in which he brought dozens of coaches to the U.S. under false pretenses, according to United States Attorney Andrew Lelling.

Between 2016 and October 2019, Justin Capell,39, of Southborough submitted hundreds of false visa petitions on behalf of at least seven professional soccer teams in order to secure visas for the organization's foreign coaching staff.

Capell had said the hundreds of people would be working as scouts or assistant coaches for one of the seven professional teams, when in reality they were employed only as youth soccer coaches for the company.

Capell also admitted to submitting phony employment contracts between professional teams and the purported beneficiaries, created fraudulent coaching licenses for the beneficiaries, which were included as part of the visa application packages.

In some instances, Capell and his co-conspirators directed visa beneficiaries to mislead U.S. immigration officials – giving them detailed instructions on how to answer questions during their visa interviews.

In May 2020, Gavin MacPhee, a former employee, pleaded guilty to destroying related records.

Capell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for June 23.

The Boston Breakers' women's soccer team was named as one of the teams that participated in a visa program that’s led to federal charges. The teams have not been accused of any wrongdoing.