FIFA Risk Analysis Disclosures Investigation Update
October 20, 2026
Charla Welch, Principal Investigator
PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION
Background
Risk Analysis Memo: Googins disseminated a memo on May 2, 2024, re: the risks associated with hosting World Cup matches at Levi’s Stadium under the 2018 Stadium Agreement signed by ManCo.
Email addressed to the mayor, each councilmember, the city manager, and outside counsel Marked confidential attorney-client communication due to ongoing negotiations over World Cup documents and agreements 2 Allegations
The Chronicle’s May 17, 2024, article contained:
Several financial figures that previously had not been circulated; and, Googins’ purported legal opinion.
City officials believed that either
Someone familiar with the contents of, or
Someone in possession of, the Risk Analysis Memo
had leaked confidential information to the media.
3 Scope of Investigation
Did anyone connected to the City of Santa Clara/Stadium Authority use City-provided software to provide unauthorized, confidential information to the news media related to counsel’s confidential, attorney-client privileged memorandum concerning risks and obligations faced by Levi’s Stadium hosting 2026 World Cup matches? If so, whom?
4 PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION
Outlook messages
Outlook calendar invitations
Teams messages
Published calendars
5 Forensic Analysis
Finding of Investigation
Finding: Not sustained.
A preponderance of the evidence does not establish that City personnel leaked confidential information to the media using City software.
Analysis: A review of the messages found no direct evidence of digital sharing of Googins’ memo or its contents.
Communications with media representatives were reviewed.
Some individuals communicated with reporters more frequently than others. 6 Thank you
Any questions?
PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION