Former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig has been convicted by a federal jury in connection with an illegal gambling investigation, according to an announcement released Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The verdict came after a trial that stretched over several weeks and featured testimony from MLB officials as well as Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii-based baseball coach who prosecutors said was linked to Puig and the broader gambling operation.
Puig, age 35, is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent the majority of his Major League Baseball career. He also played for two other MLB teams before last appearing in a major league game in 2019. Following the guilty verdict, Puig now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing currently scheduled for May 26.
Defense attorney Keri Curtis Axel criticized the prosecution’s case, stating that the government failed to establish essential elements required for conviction. Axel indicated that post-trial motions are forthcoming and emphasized the defense’s intention to challenge the outcome. She reiterated that the legal team remains committed to clearing Puig’s name.
The case stems from an earlier development in which Puig initially pleaded guilty to a felony charge involving false statements made to federal investigators who were examining an illegal gambling ring. In an August 2022 plea agreement, Puig admitted that during 2019 he accumulated gambling losses exceeding $280,000, placing wagers on professional tennis, football, and basketball games through a third party connected to an illegal sportsbook operated by Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player.
Nix himself pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy charges related to operating an illegal gambling business, along with filing a false tax return. Federal authorities alleged that Puig placed at least 900 bets through websites controlled by Nix and through an intermediary working on Nix’s behalf.
Prosecutors asserted that during a January 2022 interview, Puig denied understanding key details about his betting activity, including who he was wagering with and how his debts were paid. However, months later, Puig withdrew his guilty plea and entered a not guilty plea, citing what his legal team described as significant new evidence. Puig publicly stated that he believed he had agreed to a plea deal for a crime he did not commit.
During the trial, the government argued that Puig deliberately misled investigators. Prosecutors introduced audio recordings of Puig speaking English and presented expert testimony regarding his cognitive capabilities. Defense attorneys countered by highlighting Puig’s limited formal education, untreated mental health challenges, and the absence of an interpreter or legal counsel during the initial federal interview.
Puig debuted in MLB in 2013 and concluded his major league career with 132 home runs, 415 RBIs, and an All-Star selection in 2014. More recently, he played professionally overseas for the Kiwoom Heroes in Seoul.
