A federal jury convicted former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig on charges of obstructing justice and lying to investigators regarding his role in illegal sports betting activities.
Career Highlights
The 35-year-old Cuban-born player enjoyed six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before wrapping up his MLB tenure in 2019 with stints at Cincinnati and Cleveland, where he earned U.S. citizenship. Puig later competed in South Korea’s league for two seasons, including last year with the Kiwoom Heroes. There, he posted a .212 batting average, six home runs, and 20 RBIs before a shoulder injury prompted his return to the United States.
Trial Details
The conviction followed a 13-day trial in Los Angeles federal court. Charges arose from a 2017 investigation into an illegal gambling operation led by ex-minor-league pitcher Wayne Nix. Prosecutors detailed how efforts to conceal Nix’s income and launder funds uncovered Puig’s involvement.
Betting Activities and Evidence
Officials revealed Puig placed bets through Nix’s operation starting in May 2019, accumulating losses of $282,900 by June. Records show he made 899 wagers from July to September 2019 on tennis, football, and basketball via a Costa Rica-based site linked to Nix.
During a January 2022 video interview with his lawyer present, Puig denied any awareness of the gambling enterprise. Prosecutors also highlighted falsehoods on his 2019 naturalization application, where he claimed no history of illegal gambling.
Plea and Sentencing Outlook
Puig initially agreed to a plea deal in August 2022, pleading guilty to one count of lying to agents and paying a $55,000 fine. He withdrew from the agreement, resulting in formal charges in 2023 and the subsequent trial. He now faces up to five years for lying to federal agents and 10 years for obstruction of justice.
