LOS ANGELES (Echosphere News) — A jury has found former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and providing false statements to federal authorities regarding an illegal gambling operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Friday. The verdict was reached after a multiweek trial that included testimony from baseball officials and a Hawaii-based coach who took bets on Puig's behalf.
Puig, 35, now faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 26. Initially, Puig had pled guilty to a felony charge of lying during an investigation into his gambling activities. He admitted to accumulating over $280,000 in gambling losses over several months in 2019, betting on various sports through a third-party connected to Wayne Nix, a former minor league player who operated an illegal gaming business.
Nix had previously pled guilty to conspiracy and tax-related charges and is also awaiting sentencing. Reports indicate that Puig placed a minimum of 900 bets through websites controlled by Nix and associated individuals. During a federal interview in January 2022, Puig allegedly denied any knowledge regarding the nature of his bets or the process of settling his gambling debts.
In a surprising turn, Puig later switched his plea to not guilty, citing significant new evidence. In a statement, he expressed a desire to clear his name, asserting that he regretted his initial guilty plea.
Prosecutors alleged that Puig intentionally misled investigators, presenting audio recordings and expert witness testimonials to reveal inconsistencies in his account. Puig's defense claimed that language barriers, due to his third-grade education and untreated mental health issues, contributed to misleading statements during the interrogations, which he attended without a qualified interpreter or legal counsel.
Throughout his MLB career, lasting seven seasons and mostly with the Dodgers, Puig showcased his power as a player, hitting .277 with 132 home runs and 415 RBIs. From a young age, he was known for his exciting play style and was dubbed the 'wild horse' by Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully after evading Cuba to join the league at just 22 years old. After stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, Puig played in the Mexican League before signing with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes in 2022.
Puig, 35, now faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 26. Initially, Puig had pled guilty to a felony charge of lying during an investigation into his gambling activities. He admitted to accumulating over $280,000 in gambling losses over several months in 2019, betting on various sports through a third-party connected to Wayne Nix, a former minor league player who operated an illegal gaming business.
Nix had previously pled guilty to conspiracy and tax-related charges and is also awaiting sentencing. Reports indicate that Puig placed a minimum of 900 bets through websites controlled by Nix and associated individuals. During a federal interview in January 2022, Puig allegedly denied any knowledge regarding the nature of his bets or the process of settling his gambling debts.
In a surprising turn, Puig later switched his plea to not guilty, citing significant new evidence. In a statement, he expressed a desire to clear his name, asserting that he regretted his initial guilty plea.
Prosecutors alleged that Puig intentionally misled investigators, presenting audio recordings and expert witness testimonials to reveal inconsistencies in his account. Puig's defense claimed that language barriers, due to his third-grade education and untreated mental health issues, contributed to misleading statements during the interrogations, which he attended without a qualified interpreter or legal counsel.
Throughout his MLB career, lasting seven seasons and mostly with the Dodgers, Puig showcased his power as a player, hitting .277 with 132 home runs and 415 RBIs. From a young age, he was known for his exciting play style and was dubbed the 'wild horse' by Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully after evading Cuba to join the league at just 22 years old. After stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, Puig played in the Mexican League before signing with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes in 2022.
