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, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Friday.
The verdict arrived following a multiweek trial that included testimonies from Major League Baseball officials and a Hawaii baseball coach named Donny Kadokawa, through whom Puig allegedly placed bets. Now 35, Puig is facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison and is set to be sentenced on May 26.
Initially, Puig had pleaded guilty to a felony charge accusing him of lying during an investigation into illegal gambling. In an August 2022 plea agreement, he acknowledged incurring losses exceeding $280,000 over several months in 2019 while betting on tennis, football, and basketball through a third party associated with Wayne Nix, a former minor league player running the illegal operation.
Wayne Nix had previously admitted guilt to conspiracy charges related to illegal gambling and is awaiting sentencing himself. Prosecutors outlined that Puig had engaged in at least 900 bets via Nix-controlled sites.
During a January 2022 discussion with federal investigators, Puig denied knowledge of the betting's nature, whom he bet with, and the context of his gambling debts. However, he altered his plea months later, citing 'significant new evidence' that led him to declare his innocence.
I want to clear my name, Puig stated. I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit. The prosecution contended that Puig deliberately misled the federal agents, including audio clips of his interviews as evidence.
Puig’s defense team argued his limited education, untreated mental health issues, and lack of proper interpretation during investigations contributed to his statements. His former attorney detailed challenges in communication during Puig’s interview due to dialect barriers.
Throughout his MLB career, Puig maintained a batting average of .277, amassing 132 home runs and 415 RBIs in seven seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers. MLB broadcaster Vin Scully famously described him as the 'wild horse' for his vibrant personality and skills that attracted attention after defecting from Cuba.
After stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians in 2019, Puig played in the Mexican League before signing a one-year contract with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes last year.
