Former MLB outfielder Yasiel Puig was found guilty in Los Angeles federal court of obstruction of justice and making false statements during an investigation into an illegal sports betting ring. Sentencing is scheduled for May 26.
Puig was not accused of betting on baseball. The case turned on what he told federal investigators and whether he tried to derail a grand jury probe.
What he was convicted of, and what investigators focused on
Prosecutors said the jury returned guilty verdicts on one obstruction count and one false statement count after a two-week trial. The government argued Puig lied during a January 2022 interview that took place with his lawyers present and after warnings that lying to federal agents is a crime.
Authorities said Puig downplayed his relationship with intermediary Donny Kadokawa and denied discussing gambling with him, despite call and text traffic tied to wagers. They also pointed to Puig’s statements about the payments used to cover gambling losses.
How the betting operation worked, and what happens next
Federal prosecutors said Puig placed bets through Kadokawa, a sub-agent for a bookmaking business run by former minor leaguer Wayne Nix. By June 2019, prosecutors said Puig owed $282,900, then withdrew $200,000 and bought two $100,000 cashiers’ checks payable to Joseph Schottenstein, described as a client the operation owed money to.
After that payment, prosecutors said Puig gained direct access to betting websites and placed 899 additional wagers from July 4 to Sept. 29, 2019 on sports including tennis, football, and basketball. They said his unpaid balance grew to nearly $1 million.
Puig remains free while awaiting sentencing. The Justice Department cited statutory maximums of up to 10 years for obstruction and up to five years for false statements, while the wider case remains active because Nix previously pleaded guilty and is still awaiting sentencing.
