"Puig initially pled guilty to a felony charge of lying to federal agents investigating an illegal gambling operation. He acknowledged in an August 2022 plea agreement that he wracked up more than $280,000 in losses over a few months in 2019 while wagering on tennis, football and basketball games through a third party who worked for an illegal gambling operation run by Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player."
"Prosecutors said that during a January 2022 interview with federal investigators, he denied knowing about the nature of his bets, who he was betting with, and the circumstances of paying his gambling debts. But he changed his tune months later, announcing that he was switching his plea to not guilty because of "significant new evidence," according to a statement from his attorneys in Los Angeles."
A jury found former major league outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and lying to federal officials about an illegal gambling operation. The multiweek trial featured testimony from Major League Baseball officials and coach Donny Kadokawa. Puig faces up to 20 years in federal prison. He previously pled guilty in August 2022, acknowledging more than $280,000 in 2019 losses from wagering through a third party tied to Wayne Nix's illegal operation. Authorities say Puig placed at least 900 bets through Nix-controlled websites and associates. Prosecutors say he denied knowledge of his bets during a January 2022 interview before later changing his plea and citing "significant new evidence." The government introduced audio of Puig speaking English and expert testimony on his cognitive abilities. Nix has pled guilty to conspiracy and a false tax return and awaits sentencing.
Read at ESPN.com
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