Ex-MLB star to plead guilty to perjury in illegal gambling case
Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig facing up to five years in prison relating to unlicensed gambling ring
Ex-Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder Yasiel Puig has agreed to plead guilty to lying to federal agents investigating an illegal gambling ring, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has revealed.
Puig, 31, has confirmed he will admit guilt to one count of making false statements to federal agents as part of a plea agreement after pleading guilty.
He could face up to five years in prison and has also agreed to pay a fine of at least $55,000 as part of this deal.
In January of this year, Puig lied to federal agents investigating an illegal gambling operation run by former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix, who was himself indicted on illegal gambling charges in April.
Nix would later plead guilty on charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and filing false tax returns.
Prosecutors in the case claimed Nix’s operation had been in operation for more than 20 years and included many current and former professional athletes, either as clients or employees.
According to information released by the DOJ, Puig placed at least 900 bets through Nix-controlled betting websites and via a man who worked for Nix.
During his career, Puig spent five years with the Los Angeles Dodgers before moving to play for both the Cincinatti Reds and the Cleveland Indians.
He would later ply his trade internationally during spells in the Mexican League as well as signing a $1m contract to play for South Korean side Kiwoom Heroes last year.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, signed in August, Puig acknowledged lying to federal officials in January but denied he had placed bets through Nix’s operation.
Prosecutors in the case have also confirmed another former MLB player, Erik Kristian Hiljus, has pleaded guilty to two counts of making false tax returns, as part of the Nix illegal gambling operation.
A former New York Mets draftee, Hiljus made his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers in 1999.
The former player could face up to six years in prison at a sentencing hearing to be undertaken at a later date.