EXPLAINED: MLB Ex-Dodger Yasiel Puig’s Illegal Gambling Operations, Facing 5 Years in Prison

Yasiel Puig, a former outfielder in the major leagues, has agreed to admit guilt to lying to federal prosecutors about making bets with illegal sports betting enterprise, according to the U.S. The Central District of California’s attorney’s office made the announcement on Monday.

Puig is scheduled to enter a guilty plea to one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison, according to unsealed court filings.

In addition, Puig consented to pay a $55,000 fine. On November 15, he is due to make his debut in federal district court.

What are the charges on Yasiel Puig?

The allegations against Puig originate from his participation in Wayne Nix’s unlawful gambling enterprise, which Nix admitted to in April. Nix was charged with one count of conspiring to conduct an illegal sports gambling enterprise and one count of submitting a false tax return.

In accordance with the U.S. Attorney’s statement, Puig paid Nix’s business $200,000 to settle gambling debts before making 899 more wagers in less than three months.

Before turning professional as a free agent in 2019, he played for the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds. He later participated in the Mexican League before agreeing to a $1 million, one-year contract with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes last year.

In his plea deal, Puig admitted lying to federal authorities looking into the scheme in January when he denied placing bets through the organisation.

In an August plea deal, Puig said that over the course of just a few months in 2019, he lost more than $280,000 on bets on basketball, football, and tennis matches through a third party who worked for an illicit gambling enterprise managed by former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix, who also pleaded guilty in April this year.

 

 

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