Yasiel Puig Convicted of Lying to Federal Investigators in Gambling Probe
Yasiel Puig, the former MLB outfielder known for his electric arm and larger-than-life presence on the field, is now facing serious legal consequences off of it. Federal prosecutors have convicted Puig on two felony counts-obstruction of justice and making false statements-stemming from his involvement in an illegal sports gambling operation.
The trial, which stretched nearly two weeks, revealed that Puig began placing illegal bets in May 2019 through Donny Kadokawa, a sub-agent working under Wayne Joseph Nix, who ran the unlicensed gambling ring. According to evidence presented in court, Puig quickly racked up losses-$282,900 by June of that year.
Despite paying $200,000 toward that debt, he didn’t stop. Instead, he kept betting, and the unpaid losses eventually ballooned to nearly $1 million.
But it wasn’t just the gambling itself that landed Puig in hot water. In January 2022, during a federal interview, Puig was warned about the legal consequences of lying.
Despite that, prosecutors say he gave false information, actively obstructing the investigation. He later admitted to misleading investigators.
Court records also show that Puig made additional false statements about his gambling activity during his U.S. naturalization process.
Nix, the man behind the illegal operation, has already entered a guilty plea and is awaiting sentencing.
Puig’s career has taken him across the baseball globe-from his breakout years with the Dodgers to stints with the Reds and Guardians, and more recently, professional leagues in Mexico and South Korea. But now, instead of preparing for another season, he’s preparing for sentencing.
That’s scheduled for May 26. He faces up to 10 years in prison for obstruction and another five for making false statements.
For now, Puig remains free on personal recognizance.
This case is a stark reminder of how decisions made off the field can carry just as much weight as those made on it. For Puig, once one of the most dynamic talents in the game, the next chapter will be written in a courtroom, not a ballpark.