Yasiel Puig Found Guilty of Obstruction and False Statements
Former Los Angeles Dodgers player Yasiel Puig was found guilty of obstructing justice and providing false statements to federal investigators. The verdict concluded a trial related to an investigation into an illegal sports gambling operation. Puig faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 26.
Trial Details and Verdict
Jurors deliberated for nearly two days before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict on charges stemming from a January 27, 2022, interview with investigators. Puig was not the initial target of the investigation, and participating in an illegal gambling operation is not a federal crime. However, the charges focused squarely on whether Puig was truthful during his interview. The trial spanned 12 days and included more than a dozen witnesses.
The core of the charges revolved around Yasiel Puig's truthfulness during his interview, not his involvement in the gambling operation itself.
Background of the Case
Investigators were probing an illegal sports gambling operation, specifically seeking information about bookmaker Wayne Nix, who has pleaded guilty to charges related to operating an illegal gambling business. Prosecutors alleged that Puig knowingly provided false information about placing bets through an intermediary, Donny Kadokawa. They also presented audio recordings of Puig stating he declined to cooperate with prosecutors during the meeting.
Defense Arguments
Puig's defense team contended that he attempted to cooperate fully and that the government lacked interest in his answers. They also suggested that the interpreter during the interview faced difficulties understanding Puig's Spanish dialect. Furthermore, the defense argued that Puig's cognitive issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, affected his comprehension of the questions.
The defense highlighted potential communication barriers and cognitive challenges as factors impacting Puig's statements.
Post-Verdict Developments
Puig's attorney, Keri Curtis Axel, expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating the defense believed key elements were not proven by the government. A juror indicated after proceedings that the verdict stemmed from an "omission of the truth" by Puig and that evidence supported his understanding of not being truthful. The government had requested Puig be remanded, citing him as a flight risk, but Judge Dolly M. Gee allowed him to remain on bond, requiring court check-ins before international travel. Puig had previously agreed to a guilty plea in August 2022, which was later withdrawn in November 2022.