• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More
Law

Yasiel Puig Flips to Not Guilty Plea In Illegal Gambling Probe

  • Puig agreed to plead guilty in November for allegedly lying to federal investigators.
  • “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
Baseball player Yasiel Puig looks over shoulder in dug-out
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Yasiel Puig is looking to clear his name for his involvement in an illegal gambling investigation.

After agreeing to plead guilty as part of a plea deal for his involvement in an illegal sports betting operation, Puig is now withdrawing that plea and will plead not guilty.

“I want to clear my name,” Puig said. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”

Puig is being charged with lying to federal investigators in January about his alleged $282,900 in gambling losses over a two-month span in 2019. The 31-year-old had allegedly placed bets with former minor leaguer Wayne Nix, who, in April, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal sports gambling business and one count of filing a false tax return.

Cincinatti Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig looks dejected in team dugout

Yasiel Puig to Plead Guilty For Lying During Federal Gambling Probe

Court appearance on Tuesday after indictment for lying to investigators was unsealed.
November 15, 2022

Puig’s lawyers — who now include renowned civil rights attorney Lawrence S. Middleton as a consultant — are saying that the former MLB star was not properly prepared to enter a plea.

“At the time of his January 2022 interview, Mr. Puig, who has a third-grade education, had untreated mental-health issues, and did not have his own interpreter or criminal legal counsel with him,” said Keri Axel of Waymaker LLP. “We have reviewed the evidence, including significant new information, and have serious concerns about the allegations made against Yasiel.”

Under his previous plea agreement, Puig agreed to pay a fine of $55,000 and faced as much as three years in prison.

Since his last season in MLB with Cincinnati and Cleveland, Puig played in the Mexican League in 2021 and with the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes on a one-year, $1 million contract last season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) reacts after a play during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium.

Gerrit Cole Reverses Opt Out, Stays With Yankees. What’s Next?

Discussions will now start on a potential contract extension to finish his career in New York.
Tony Hinchcliffe at Donald Trump rally.

Sports Betting Companies Holding Comic at Arm’s Length After Trump Rally

Hinchcliffe drew criticism over his comments at a rally for Trump.

Juan Soto Sweepstakes Underway: Superstar’s Deal Could Reshape MLB

The MLB superstar is set to gain the second-largest contract in U.S. pro sports history.

Cubs Agree to Alter Wrigley As Part of DOJ Settlement

The second-oldest MLB ballpark will have to make upgrades again.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Surprising Start to MLB’s Offseason

0:00

Featured Today

Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Donald Trump holding a basketball in the White House
October 30, 2024

Mavericks Owner’s $100 Million Trump Donation Dwarfs All Other Sports Owner Political Giving

Dr. Miriam Adelson is one of the most powerful donors in U.S. politics.

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium.
October 23, 2024

Former WWE ‘Ring Boys’ Allege Vince McMahon ‘Allowed’ Sexual Abuse

The suit claims the WWE and the McMahons “failed these boys.”
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James (23) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
October 24, 2024

LeBron and Bronny James Target of Lawsuit Over 2022 Car Crash

They made history Tuesday as the NBA’s first father-son teammates.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
Former UFC fighter Cung Le
October 23, 2024

Judge Allows Reworked $375 Million Settlement for UFC Fighters to Move Forward 

Hundreds of fighters could start to see six-figure payouts next year.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A DraftKings countdown clock on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center.
October 22, 2024

DraftKings, Former Exec Talk Settlement in Marathon Legal Battle

The case revolves around the enforcement of a one-year non-compete agreement.
October 18, 2024

Lawsuit Targets Illegal Prop and Pick ’Em Bets

PrizePicks paid $15 million to New York regulators for a similar reason.
Jun 25, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan on pit road during qualifying for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
October 18, 2024

NASCAR: Michael Jordan Suit Using Discovery As ‘Weapon’ 

Jordan’s racing company is suing NASCAR over antitrust practices.