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 said Friday. The verdict followed a multiweek trial that featured testimony from Major League Baseball officials and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii baseball coach through whom Puig placed bets. Now, Puig stands to face up to 20 years in federal prison, with his sentencing scheduled for May 26.
Puig, 35, had initially pled guilty to a felony charge of lying to federal agents. In an August 2022 plea agreement, he admitted to incurring over $280,000 in gambling losses within a few months in 2019 while wagering on various sports through an intermediary involved in an illegal operation led by Wayne Nix, also a former minor league player. Nix had previously pled guilty to charges related to operating an illegal gambling business and is awaiting sentencing.
Court documents reveal that Puig made at least 900 bets via Nix-controlled websites. During a January 2022 meeting with federal investigators, however, prosecutors stated that Puig denied understanding the nature of his bets and who he owed money to.
Turning the case on its head, he altered his plea from guilty to not guilty months later, citing “significant new evidence.” In a statement, Puig insisted on his innocence, stating, “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
The prosecution contends that Puig intentionally misled investigators, presenting audio evidence and expert witness testimonies regarding his cognitive abilities. Conversely, Puig's attorneys pointed out the potential barriers he faced, including lack of proper interpretation during his questioning.
Puig, known for his career statistics of .277 batting average, 132 home runs, and 415 RBIs, garnered attention during his seven seasons in the major leagues, particularly with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he earned an All-Star title in 2014. Echoed by Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, Puig was affectionately known as the “wild horse” for his impressive gameplay and antics on the field, having joined Major League Baseball at 22 after leaving Cuba. Following stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians in 2019, he played in the Mexican League and most recently signed a one-year contract with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes.
Puig, 35, had initially pled guilty to a felony charge of lying to federal agents. In an August 2022 plea agreement, he admitted to incurring over $280,000 in gambling losses within a few months in 2019 while wagering on various sports through an intermediary involved in an illegal operation led by Wayne Nix, also a former minor league player. Nix had previously pled guilty to charges related to operating an illegal gambling business and is awaiting sentencing.
Court documents reveal that Puig made at least 900 bets via Nix-controlled websites. During a January 2022 meeting with federal investigators, however, prosecutors stated that Puig denied understanding the nature of his bets and who he owed money to.
Turning the case on its head, he altered his plea from guilty to not guilty months later, citing “significant new evidence.” In a statement, Puig insisted on his innocence, stating, “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
The prosecution contends that Puig intentionally misled investigators, presenting audio evidence and expert witness testimonies regarding his cognitive abilities. Conversely, Puig's attorneys pointed out the potential barriers he faced, including lack of proper interpretation during his questioning.
Puig, known for his career statistics of .277 batting average, 132 home runs, and 415 RBIs, garnered attention during his seven seasons in the major leagues, particularly with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he earned an All-Star title in 2014. Echoed by Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, Puig was affectionately known as the “wild horse” for his impressive gameplay and antics on the field, having joined Major League Baseball at 22 after leaving Cuba. Following stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians in 2019, he played in the Mexican League and most recently signed a one-year contract with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes.
