Yasiel Puig found guilty of obstruction of justice
A federal jury has found former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty on charges of obstruction of justice and providing false information to federal officials. The decision came after a trial that lasted several weeks.
In the trial, representatives from Major League Baseball appeared, and Donny Kadokawa, a baseball coach in Hawaii, was identified as an intermediary in the bets placed by the player.
Puig could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 26.Research Details
Authorities reported that Puig placed at least 900 bets through platforms linked to an illegal operation led by Wayne Nix, a former minor league player. Nix pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and to filing a false tax return, and is awaiting sentencing.
Initially, Puig admitted to having lied to federal agents during an investigation, acknowledging losses exceeding $280,000 in 2019, betting on sports such as tennis, American football, and basketball. However, he later withdrew his guilty plea, alleging new evidence and proclaiming his innocence.
The prosecutors argued that the former player denied knowing the details of his bets and the identity of the people involved when he was questioned in January 2022. During the trial, recordings of Puig in English were presented, as well as experts who evaluated his cognitive abilities.Defense Arguments
The defense argued that the player, with a low level of formal education, faced untreated mental health problems and did not have an adequate interpreter or criminal counsel during the interview in which he allegedly lied.Yasiel Puig’s Career
Puig, 35 years old, had a distinguished career in the majors, with a batting average of .277, 132 home runs and 415 RBIs in seven seasons, mainly with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected for the All-Star Game in 2014 and known as “The Wild Horse” for his playing style.
After the Dodgers, he played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians before continuing his career in international leagues, including Mexico and South Korea.
