LOS ANGELES – Former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig was found guilty Friday of obstruction of justice and lying to federal officials during an investigation into an illegal gambling operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The conviction centers on allegations that Puig intentionally misled investigators about his involvement with an illicit betting ring.
Gambling Losses and Shifting Testimony
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The verdict followed a trial featuring testimony from MLB officials and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii baseball coach through whom Puig placed bets. Puig, 35, now faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is scheduled for sentencing on May 26. Keri Curtis Axel, Puig’s attorney, stated the government failed to prove key elements of the case and plans to file post-trial motions, expressing confidence in ultimately clearing Puig’s name.
The losses stemmed from bets placed through a third party connected to an illegal gambling operation run by Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player. Nix pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling buisness and submitting a false tax return and is awaiting sentencing. Authorities resolute Puig placed at least 900 bets through Nix’s websites and associates.
From Admission to denial
Prosecutors argued that Puig deliberately deceived federal investigators during a January 2022 interview, denying knowledge of his bets, his betting partners, and the payment of gambling debts. However, months later, Puig announced a shift to a not-guilty plea, citing “significant new evidence” in a statement released by his legal team in Los Angeles.
“I wont to clear my name,” Puig said in the statement. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
The government presented audio recordings of Puig speaking English during the investigation and called expert witnesses to assess his cognitive abilities. Puig’s defense countered that he has a third-grade education, suffered from untreated mental-health issues, and lacked adequate legal representation or an interpreter during the initial interview.
Steven Gebelin, Puig’s former attorney, testified that Puig attempted to cooperate with investigators in January 2022, but the interpreter struggled with Puig’s specific Spanish dialect.
A Once-Bright career
During seven major league seasons, Puig batted .277 with 132 home runs and 415 RBIs. He spent his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning an All-Star selection in 2014. Dodgers broadcaster Vin scully famously dubbed P
