A former Argentine government official has killed himself after being accused of taking bribes, the latest fallout from a widespread corruption probe in professional soccer that has implicated businessmen and top officials in several countries.
Jorge Delhon, a lawyer who worked in the administration of former Argentina President Cristina Fernandez, killed himself on Tuesday by jumping in front of a train in Buenos Aires.
A ministry official in Buenos Aires province confirmed the death.
"I love you all," Delhon wrote in a suicide note to his family, the ministry official told The Associated Press. "I can't believe (what's happening)."
The suicide came just hours after sports marketing executive Alejandro Burzaco told a judge in New York he had paid millions in bribes to Delhon and Pablo Paladino in exchange for TV production rights to soccer matches.
Paladino worked for the now defunct government program Futbol para Todos (Football for All), which broadcast local soccer matches on public TV.
Delhon worked under Fernandez's chief of staff, and dealt with Futbol para Todos.
The Fernandez government, which ended in 2015, created the free-to-air soccer program on Argentine public television.
While giving more free access to Argentine soccer fans, Fernandez was sharply criticised for using the program to promote her government.
Burzaco's testimony continued Wednesday.
He was testifying under a plea agreement against three former South American soccer officials accused of taking bribes in a sprawling corruption investigation of FIFA, the sport's governing body.
Jose Maria Marin, Manuel Burga and Juan Angel Napout have pleaded not guilty to charges they took part in a 24-year scheme involving at least $US150 million in bribes that secured broadcasting and hosting rights for soccer tournaments around the globe.
More than 40 other officials and business executives been charged.
Many, including Burzaco, have pleaded guilty in hopes of receiving reduced sentences.
