Baseball-Former Dodger Puig to plead guilty in illegal gambling investigation

The Department of Justice announced on Monday that Yasiel Puig, a former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star, has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of lying to law enforcement officials about sports bets the slugger placed with an illegal gambling operation.

The 31-year-old Puig, who is currently playing professionally in South Korea, has agreed to pay a fine of at least $55,000, according to the U.S. According to a news release from the Central District of California’s attorney.

Puig additionally consented to make his debut in the U.S. Tuesday’s district court date.

In accordance with the terms of his plea deal, Puig started betting on sporting events through a third party who worked for an illegal gambling operation run by a former minor league player named Wayne Joseph Nix.

Puig placed 899 more wagers on tennis, football, and basketball games from July to September 2019 after settling $200,000 of his losses from 2019 and regaining access to Nix-controlled betting websites.

In January 2022, federal investigators interviewed Puig in the presence of his lawyer and despite being warned that lying to federal agents is a crime, “Puig lied several times” about his relationship with the third party and the $200,000 payment.

Nix entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiring to run an illegal sports gambling operation as well as one count of filing a false tax return in April. The hearing to determine his sentence is set for March 8.

In 2012, Puig left Cuba and agreed to a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Dodgers. 2014 saw his selection to the All-Star team.

The outfielder joined the Kiwoom Heroes of South Korea’s KBO League this year after playing for the Cincinnati Reds and the former Cleveland Indians during the 2019 season.

Reference: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/baseball-former-dodger-puig-plead-guilty-illegal-gambling-investigation-3072346