The legal drama surrounding former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig took a decisive turn on Friday, when a federal jury found the MLB star guilty in relation to an illegal sports gambling case. While the court did not provide information on the expected sentence, Puig could be facing years behind bars.
Puig Reportedly Attempted to Mislead Investigators
A federal court in Los Angeles found Puig guilty of two charges. These included obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators. The verdict followed nearly two weeks of testimony tied to a sprawling investigation into an illegal sports betting operation run by former minor league pitcher Wayne Nix.
The charges stem not from betting itself, but from Puig’s conduct during a 2022 federal investigation. Prosecutors alleged that Puig lied about his connections with bookmakers and placing wagers through intermediaries. The jurors ultimately concluded that Puig knowingly misled investigators despite repeated warnings that false statements to federal agents constituted a crime.
This verdict marks the end of a long-winding case. In August 2022, Puig agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of lying to federal authorities, a deal that would likely have resulted in probation and a substantial fine. He publicly withdrew from the deal three weeks later, claiming he had made a mistake by taking responsibility for actions that he had not taken, setting the stage for years of litigation.
The Defense Maintained Puig’s Innocence
During the trial, the prosecution presented recordings, financial records, and messages showing that Puig had placed significant bets through some of Nix’s associates beginning in 2019. The former athlete reportedly accumulated hundreds of thousands in losses wagering on sports. Prosecutors also highlighted messages in which Puig allegedly admitted to lying to federal agents.
Puig’s defense team pushed back hard, claiming that the government misrepresented his responses due to language barriers. Attorneys said Puig struggled with English, relied on an interpreter who had difficulty understanding his Cuban Spanish dialect, and suffered from untreated mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The defense team explained the inconsistencies with confusion rather than intent.
Despite the defense’s efforts, jurors concluded that Puig had made deliberate omissions. The former athlete now faces up to 15 years in prison if sentences on both counts are imposed consecutively. Puig’s sentencing is scheduled for May 26. However, his attorneys have noted their intention to launch post-trial motions, including a possible appeal.
