Yasiel Puig, the former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, is set to stand trial in downtown Los Angeles on federal charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements. The case stems from a 2017 investigation into an illegal sports-betting operation run by former minor-league pitcher Wayne Nix. Puig’s trial, scheduled for Tuesday, follows a complex legal saga that began in 2019 and has involved multiple plea deals and court rulings.
At a Glance
- Yasiel Puig, 35, faces federal charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements.
- The case links Puig to a $282,900 debt owed to a gambling business run by Wayne Nix.
- A plea deal reached in August 2022 was later deemed non-binding after Puig withdrew.
- Why it matters: The trial could determine whether a former MLB star is convicted of lying to federal investigators, impacting his reputation and potential future opportunities.
Background
Puig played six seasons with the Dodgers and last appeared in Major League Baseball in 2019, splitting time between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. Afterward, he signed with teams in South Korea and the Mexican League. The federal case centers on a 2017 probe of an illegal gambling business operated by Wayne Nix, 49, of Newport Coast.
Nix’s operation involved laundering illicit proceeds and hiding income from the Internal Revenue Service. Prosecutors say that Puig began placing bets on games in May 2019 through an intermediary linked to Nix. By June 2019, court papers show that Puig owed the Nix gambling business $282,900 for sports-gambling losses.
Between July and September 2019, Puig allegedly placed 899 bets on tennis, football and basketball games through a Costa Rica-based website associated with Nix, according to federal prosecutors.
Investigation Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2019 | Puig began placing bets via Nix’s intermediary |
| June 2019 | Debt of $282,900 recorded |
| July-September 2019 | 899 bets placed through Costa Rica-based site |
| January 2022 | Federal investigators interviewed Puig via video conferencing |
| March 2022 | Prosecutors allege Puig sent a recorded WhatsApp message to a friend |
| August 2022 | Plea deal reached; Puig promised to plead guilty to one count and pay a fine of at least $55,000 |
| January 2023 | Prosecutors added an obstruction of justice charge |
| August 2025 | Puig posted a statement on X claiming the story isn’t over |
January 2022 Interview
During a 90-minute interview, prosecutors warned Puig that lying to federal agents is a crime. Despite the warning, Puig denied any knowledge of the Nix gambling business and the people involved. Prosecutors later wrote:
“During a final break, the government privately advised defendant’s then-counsel that defendant’s statements were contrary to evidence the government had already obtained during the Nix Gambling Business investigation,” prosecutors wrote in the trial memorandum. “Counsel conferred with his client outside the presence of the government, but defendant did not change his prior statements.”
March 2022 WhatsApp Message
In a recorded message, Puig said:
“I no said nothing, I not talking,” the Cuban player said in English, of his conversation with federal prosecutors two months prior. “I said that I only know (Puig’s alleged bookie, a former player) from baseball.”
Plea Deal and Withdrawal
Puig was charged with one federal count each of making false statements and obstruction of justice. In August 2022, he reached a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, agreeing to plead guilty to a single count of lying to federal authorities and to pay a fine of at least $55,000.
However, Puig reneged on the deal weeks later. A Los Angeles federal judge determined the plea was not binding because Puig had not formally entered his guilty plea in court. Puig issued a statement at the time:
“I want to clear my name,” Puig said. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
Before withdrawing, Puig was eligible for probation along with the fine.
Current Status
In January 2023, prosecutors charged Puig with obstruction of justice in addition to two charges of making false statements to federal officials. The case was held up during an appeal regarding the admissibility of the facts of the withdrawn plea agreement. The case is now proceeding before U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee.
Each count of making a false statement carries up to five years in prison, while the obstruction of justice charge carries up to a ten-year term of imprisonment should Puig be convicted at trial.
Related Developments
Wayne Nix pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to operate an illegal sports-gambling business and filing a false tax return. He is awaiting a sentencing date.
Puig’s trial, scheduled to begin Tuesday, will be a key moment in determining whether the former MLB star will face prison time or be cleared of the charges.
Key Takeaways
- The case connects Puig to a sizable debt and a large number of bets placed through an illegal gambling operation.
- A plea deal was reached but later deemed non-binding after Puig withdrew.
- The trial will decide whether Puig faces up to five years for false statements and up to ten years for obstruction of justice.
- Wayne Nix, the alleged bookie, has already pleaded guilty to related charges.
The outcome of this trial could have lasting implications for Puig’s legacy and future opportunities in baseball and beyond.
