LOS ANGELES
A federal jury convicted former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig, 35, on Thursday of obstruction of justice and making false statements to investigators probing an illegal sports gambling operation.
Prosecutors stated that Puig placed hundreds of wagers in 2019 through a gambling network run by Wayne Joseph Nix, amassing nearly $1 million in losses.
Evidence showed Puig paid $200,000 toward the debt, then continued betting — including placing wagers from MLB ballparks before and after games.
Puig, who previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians, later lied to federal agents about his gambling activity and admitted in a recorded message that he had obstructed the investigation, according to authorities.
He also falsely denied illegal gambling during his U.S. naturalization process.
U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee scheduled sentencing for May 26. Puig faces up to 10 years in prison on the obstruction charge and remains free on bond.