Former Major League BaseballYasiel Puig was not accompanied by an attorney when he spoke to federal agents about an illegal gambling operation. This was according to his agent, who released a statement Tuesday.
Puig was not represented by a criminal attorney because he felt his mental health had been compromised.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice the 31-year old is expected to be Plead guilty for lyingThat is the interview.
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Yasiel Puig is the #66 Kiwoom Heroes outfielder and reacts during the eighth inning of the Korean Baseball Organization League opening match between Kiwoom Heroes (South Korea) and Lotte Giants (Seoul, South Korea), April 2, 2022 at Gocheok Skydome.
(Photo by Chung Sung Jun/Getty Images
“The government’s indictment arises out of a single interview he gave back in January via Zoom,” said Puig’s agent, Lisette Carnet of Leona Sports Agency.
Court documents showed that Puig agreed to plead guilty and pay a $55,000 fine. The Cuban-born pitcher could spend up to five consecutive years in federal prison.
“He arrived at the interview feeling unprepared and rushed. He also didn’t have his criminal counsel. His interpreter was not available. Because of his childhood in Cuban authoritarianism, interviews with government officials can be triggering. They also worsen ADHD symptoms and cause other mental health problems. He is currently in treatment. Carnet stated that he would’ve benefited from such care at the time of his interview.
Carnet stated that Puig’s lawyer Keri Axel clarified that he is eligible to receive probation under the sentencing guidelines.
“Yasiel puig was not charged with illegal gambling. He wasn’t a member or a participant in a gambling ring and he didn’t bet on baseball. He has not been charged with illegal gambling, or any gambling related to any sport.
“The absolute ‘only conduct at issue is what he said or did not say during an interview’ conducted by IRS and HSI Officials, as described in a statement released by his attorney. Yasiel Puig was not the target of the government’s investigation; he was asked by the government to be a witness against the gambling organizers and others,” Carnet said.
Puig played the major part of his career in the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected to the All-Star Team in 2014.
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Before becoming a free-agent, he went on to play in 2019 for Cincinnati and Cleveland. Puig spent time in the Mexican League. Last year he signed a one-year, $1 million contact with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes.
Yasiel Puig of Kiwoom Heroes was a former baseball outfielder. He hit a ball in the opening game of the 2022 season for Korea Baseball Organization. It took place in Seoul, South Korea on April 2, 2022. Authorities have announced that Puig will plead guilty in the case against him for lying to federal agents regarding an illegal sports betting operation. Monday’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice, November 14, 2022, stated that Puig admitted in unsealed court papers that he had denied placing bets on the illegal operation. In fact, he placed hundreds of bets in 2019.
(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Carnet indicated that Puig is not barred from playing in the major leagues, or overseas “per organization regulations.”
Puig, in an August plea deal, admitted that he had lost more than $280,000 wagering on various sports through a third-party who worked for Wayne Nix’s illegal gaming operation.
Nix played minor league baseball.
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Authorities said that Puig placed approximately 900 bets through Nix-controlled gambling websites and through an associate of Nix.
Yasiel puig, number 66, of the Cincinnati Reds, bats in the Chicago Cubs’ game at Wrigley Field, July 15, 2019.
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Nix pleaded guilty to conspiring to operate an illegal sport gambling business and falsely filing a tax return in April.
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According to prosecutors, Nix employed or had clients of former professional athletes.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.
