BREAKING: Former Dodger Yasiel Puig has withdrawn from an agreement to plead guilty to lying to federal officials about alleged bets on sporting events.
According to the plea agreement, Puig -- who also played for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians -- began placing bets on games in May 2019 through an unidentified man who worked on behalf of an illegal gambling business run by Wayne Nix, 46, a former minor league pitcher who lives in Newport Coast.In January 2022, federal investigators interviewed Puig in the presence of his lawyer.
In fact, Puig discussed sports betting with the man hundreds of times on the telephone and via text message, federal prosecutors said."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," attorney Keri Axel said.
Nix pleaded guilty in April to one count each of conspiracy to operate an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 8. Federal prosecutors have also filed a plea agreement for former MLB player Erik Kristian Hiljus, 49, of Panorama City, who agreed to plead guilty to two counts of subscribing to false tax returns and will face up to six years in federal prison upon entering his guilty plea. Hiljus was an agent for Nix's illegal gambling business but did not work with Puig.
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