At a Glance
- Yasiel Puig, 35, is on trial for allegedly lying to federal agents about his ties to an illegal betting ring.
- Prosecutors say he placed 899 bets and lost $282,000 in 2019 alone.
- He rejected a plea deal that would have fined him $55,000 and now risks over a decade behind bars.
- Why it matters: The case tests how strictly federal authorities police gambling-related false statements, even when the underlying bets are not charged.
Jury selection wrapped up Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles for former Dodgers star Yasiel Puig, launching a federal trial that could land the ex-outfielder in prison for 10 years or more if he is convicted of obstructing a probe into an illegal sports-betting operation.
Puig, now 35, sat in court as the panel of 12 jurors and two alternates was sworn in. Opening statements were expected later the same afternoon, according to News Of Los Angeles‘s Ethan R. Coleman.
The Charges
A six-count indictment accuses Puig of:
- One count of obstruction of justice
- Multiple counts of making false statements to federal investigators
The charges stem from a January 2022 interview in which prosecutors say Puig repeatedly lied about his knowledge of the gambling business run by ex-minor-league pitcher Wayne Nix.
According to the government, Puig:
- Denied knowing anything about Nix’s operation
- Claimed he did not know anyone involved in the bookmaking ring
Investigators say those answers were false because Puig had already lost $282,000 betting with Nix’s outfit by June 2019.
Betting Timeline
| Period | Action | Amount/Number |
|---|---|---|
| May 2019 | First alleged illegal bets placed | – |
| June 2019 | Debt to Nix operation | $282,000 |
| July 4 – Sept. 29, 2019 | Additional bets on tennis, football, basketball | 899 bets |
| January 2022 | FBI interview | – |
Puig last appeared in Major League Baseball in 2019, splitting the season between Cincinnati and Cleveland. He also played professionally in South Korea, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
Collapsed Plea Deal
Court records show Puig initially agreed to plead guilty in August 2022:
- Single count of making false statements
- Fine of at least $55,000
Weeks later he withdrew from the deal.
“I want to clear my name,” Puig said in a statement released at the time. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
His attorneys at Waymaker LLP reiterated Tuesday that “Puig is finally getting his day in court and looks forward to presenting the full story.”
Co-Defendant Status
Nix, 49, of Newport Coast, has already pleaded guilty to:
- Conspiracy to operate an illegal sports-gambling business
- Filing a false tax return
He is awaiting sentencing.
Legal Analysis
NBCLA legal analyst Royal Oakes highlighted the unusual nature of the prosecution: “This case is strange in the sense that Puig doesn’t deny he was a big gambler. He placed hundreds of bets and lost almost $300,000, but he is being charged with lying to the feds when they asked about his contacts with bookies.”
Potential Penalty
If convicted on all counts, federal guidelines could expose Puig to:
- 10 years or more in federal prison
Puig himself signaled continued defiance in an August 2025 post on X: “This story isn’t over yet, and you weren’t told the full story the first time.”
Help for Problem Gambling
If you or someone you know has a gambling addiction, call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700 to speak to a counselor. Help is also available via an online peer support forum at www.gamtalk.org, and additional resources can be found at the NCPG website.
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