LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury has found former major league outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and lying to federal officials investigating an illegal gambling operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The verdict followed a multiweek trial, where witnesses included MLB officials and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaiian baseball coach through whom Puig placed bets. The 35-year-old now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for May 26.
Initially, Puig pled guilty to a felony charge related to the investigation, admitting he lost over $280,000 within a few months while gambling on various sports through illegal channels managed by Wayne Nix, a former minor league player. Nix had previously pled guilty to conspiracy charges and is awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution argued that Puig intentionally misled investigators, providing audio evidence and expert testimony regarding his cognitive abilities during an interview where he denied the nature and specifics of his betting activities. In a surprising turn, Puig retracted his guilty plea, claiming to have new evidence that warranted a switch to not guilty, declaring his intent to clear his name.
His attorneys contended that Puig, who has a limited education, suffered from untreated mental health issues at the time of his interrogation and lacked proper legal representation. They emphasized difficulties with language translation during the investigation that may have contributed to misunderstandings.
Throughout his career, Puig, known for his impressive batting statistics and dynamic presence on the field, earned a reputation as a notable player in MLB, particularly during his tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After playing with the Dodgers, he moved on to the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians before signing with the Kiwoom Heroes in South Korea. His upcoming sentencing will further illuminate the legal implications of his case and his future in professional sports.
Initially, Puig pled guilty to a felony charge related to the investigation, admitting he lost over $280,000 within a few months while gambling on various sports through illegal channels managed by Wayne Nix, a former minor league player. Nix had previously pled guilty to conspiracy charges and is awaiting sentencing.
The prosecution argued that Puig intentionally misled investigators, providing audio evidence and expert testimony regarding his cognitive abilities during an interview where he denied the nature and specifics of his betting activities. In a surprising turn, Puig retracted his guilty plea, claiming to have new evidence that warranted a switch to not guilty, declaring his intent to clear his name.
His attorneys contended that Puig, who has a limited education, suffered from untreated mental health issues at the time of his interrogation and lacked proper legal representation. They emphasized difficulties with language translation during the investigation that may have contributed to misunderstandings.
Throughout his career, Puig, known for his impressive batting statistics and dynamic presence on the field, earned a reputation as a notable player in MLB, particularly during his tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After playing with the Dodgers, he moved on to the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians before signing with the Kiwoom Heroes in South Korea. His upcoming sentencing will further illuminate the legal implications of his case and his future in professional sports.
