All articles tagged with #yasiel puig
A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig of obstruction of justice and making false statements to investigators about his involvement in illegal sports betting; he faces up to 20 years in prison and sentencing is set for May 26, with an appeal planned by his defense.
Former Dodgers star Yasiel Puig was found guilty of obstructing justice and providing false statements to investigators about his involvement in an illegal sports betting operation. The verdict came after a 12-day trial, with jurors taking nearly two days to reach unanimity. Puig faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and sentencing is set for May 26. The case centers on a 2022 interview with investigators and whether Puig lied about betting through an intermediary; his defense argued he cooperated and that language and cognitive issues complicated his responses.
Yasiel Puig's cautionary tale serves as a warning for foreign athletes like Shohei Ohtani, who is currently embroiled in a betting scandal involving his former interpreter. Puig's experience with federal investigators highlights the potential pitfalls for athletes unfamiliar with the U.S. legal system. Ohtani claims his former interpreter stole millions from him to pay off illegal gambling debts and intends to fully cooperate with law enforcement. Legal experts advise Ohtani to carefully clarify any inconsistencies in his account before speaking with investigators, emphasizing the need for caution in such situations.