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.
The verdict comes after evidence and testimony were presented, including representatives from Major League Baseball and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii baseball coach involved in the bets made by the player.
Puig could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 26.Details of the investigation for illegal betting
Authorities revealed that Puig placed approximately 900 bets through platforms linked to an illegal operation run 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.
Initially, Puig admitted to having lied to federal agents during the investigation, acknowledging losses exceeding $280,000 in bets placed on sports such as tennis, American football, and basketball. Subsequently, he withdrew his guilty plea, citing new evidence and proclaiming his innocence.
Prosecutors argued that the former player intentionally denied knowing the details of his bets and the identity of the people involved when questioned in January 2022. Recordings and expert opinions on Puig’s cognitive abilities were presented during the trial.Defense Arguments
The defense argued that Puig, with a low educational level, suffered from untreated mental health problems and did not have an adequate interpreter or legal counsel during the interview in which he allegedly lied.
Puig, 35, had a distinguished career in the majors, where he batted .277 with 132 home runs and 415 RBIs in seven seasons, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected to the All-Star Game in 2014 and earned the nickname “The Wild Horse” for his explosive style of play.
After his time with the Dodgers, he also played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians before continuing his career in international leagues, including Mexico and South Korea.
