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Yasiel Puig Changes Plea To Not Guilty In Gambling Case

By Darragh McDonald | November 30, 2022 at 5:15pm CDT

Just over two weeks ago, it was reported that Yasiel Puig pled guilty to lying to federal agents during an investigation into an illegal gambling operation. Now he has withdrawn from that plea agreement, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, changing his plea to not guilty. “I want to clear my name,” Puig said in a statement. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”

The former big leaguer would have been eligible for probation and had agreed to pay a fine of at least $55,000 under the agreement. Having now withdrawn, Puig could face trial and a maximum sentence of five years in prison. “Significant new evidence” prompted the change, according to Keri Axel, Puig’s attorney. “We are prepared to publicly share that information in the appropriate forum and at the appropriate time,” Axel says.

The government alleges that Puig lost almost $300K on sports bets in the first half of 2019 but then lied to investigators over a Zoom call about it. “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,” Axel says, in relation to that Zoom call.

Puig played in the majors from 2013 to 2019 but there is no evidence in the plea agreement that he bet on baseball.

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Comments

  1. !NolanGorman16!

    2 months ago

    I didn’t change my mind, he’s still a tool.

    Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 months ago

      after he’s convinced and sentenced he’ll regret changing his plea

      Reply
      • bigjonliljon

        2 months ago

        I hope so. He’s a tool. An immature, self absorbed, egotistical, self absorbed tool.

        Reply
        • MT in Baltimore

          2 months ago

          Tell us how you really feel..

      • case

        2 months ago

        I suspect the “significant new evidence” is high priced legal counsel advising him that they can get the zoom call thrown out cause prosecutors misrepresented themselves. Easy to defend against if you have money for lawyers.

        Reply
    • OIC2021

      2 months ago

      Wanna bet he’s found guilty?

      Reply
      • iBleeedBlue

        2 months ago

        Wanna bet that the absence of an interpreter and legal counsel is what will really undo this case?

        Reply
        • gregn213

          2 months ago

          The government said that Puig had legal counsel with him.. That’s easy to prove because the Zoom session was recorded. Puig’s new attorney is arguing that it wasn’t a criminal attorney.

    • GASoxFan

      2 months ago

      He may want to reconsider as inmates in fed correctional facilities all over look forward to his bat licking skills.

      Reply
  2. Lloyd Emerson

    2 months ago

    A third grade education? Ouch…

    Reply
    • TrumboJumbo

      2 months ago

      Puig is as sharp as melted butter.

      Reply
      • fre5hwind

        2 months ago

        Has the same reflexes of a turtle.

        Reply
      • giantsphan12

        2 months ago

        I feel a little bad for the guy. While I don’t disagree with any of all the sentiments already stated, I do think the guy needed help when he first came to the U.S. (and probably still does). Between his “3rd grade education,” his known mental health issues, and his immaturity, he was doomed from the start. Where’s his mama??

        Reply
    • TheMichigan

      2 months ago

      Yeah? He’s from Cuba. I’m not sure education is the highest importance there.

      Reply
      • adamontheshore

        2 months ago

        Cuba actually has a really good education system, I know they rank first or second every year in literacy rates. But, I am guessing that a lot of the kids that excel in sports do not really take advantage of the education system. It’s not much different here.

        Reply
      • Capi

        2 months ago

        Wrong… Cuba has great education, even better than the US. Some people just don’t care for education.

        Reply
        • thickiedon

          2 months ago

          OR Puig just isn’t a smart fella

        • Whonose

          2 months ago

          “Better than the U.S.”? Nonsense. You’re confusing “education” with “indoctrination”. Regardless, the quality of “education” in Cuba is generally unknown, as the Cuban government has refused to participate in PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) for the past quarter century, so you’re relying on Bernie Sanders and the Obamas for the glowing reports on “education” in Cuba.

  3. hiflew

    2 months ago

    In other words, his lawyer found a legal loophole that he will try to exploit.

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 months ago

      The initial story of a guilty plea didn’t make much sense. He agreed to be interviewed under counsel from his attorney. Why would Puig self-incriminate himself as opposed to not talking?

      Reply
      • TrumboJumbo

        2 months ago

        YBC, my thoughts exactly.

        Reply
      • hiflew

        2 months ago

        Probably because he is uneducated and especially because he is not that familiar with the American Bill of Rights. Let’s not forget he is Cuban and he was not brought up being ingrained with his rights and freedoms. They just taught him to hit the ball.

        Reply
        • TrumboJumbo

          2 months ago

          Yep. To the point. Sad he doesn’t have better friends and advisors being a multi millionaire.

        • MarlinsFanBase

          2 months ago

          Actually, it’s harder for a talented person who has made millions to find good people to be around them. Too many leeches at that point to sift through.

        • TrumboJumbo

          2 months ago

          Agreed Marlins. 100%

        • HalosHeavenJJ

          2 months ago

          Agreed. I’ve noticed there’s usually a huge difference in celebs who keep childhood friends around vs those who don’t.

          Obviously difficult in Puig’s case.

  4. BenBenBen

    2 months ago

    This dude sure is dumb.

    Reply
    • thickiedon

      2 months ago

      If only his attorney could put it as succinctly as so.

      Reply
  5. All Rise99

    2 months ago

    A class act.

    Reply
  6. Fever Pitch Guy

    2 months ago

    Sounds like Puig is rolling the dice, hopefully for him it doesn’t come up snake eyes.

    Reply
  7. ruff kuntry

    2 months ago

    Plead guilty to a crime you didn’t commit? Hahahahaha

    Reply
    • rct

      2 months ago

      It happens all day every day in our plea-hungry legal system.

      Reply
      • louwhitakerisahofer

        2 months ago

        If that’s the case, he should’ve plead no contest. No admission of guilt.

        Reply
        • rct

          2 months ago

          True, but some lawyers are better than others.

      • louwhitakerisahofer

        2 months ago

        Dead wrong. Betting on tennis is easy and offers better odds than most sports. Educate yourself.

        Reply
      • prov356

        2 months ago

        Not in federal court, rct. Pleading guilty in federal court is extremely thorough and specific. You should find and read a transcript of one if you care to spend the time.

        Reply
  8. boastrogot

    2 months ago

    leave yasiel puig alone

    Reply
  9. getrealgone2

    2 months ago

    He should go to jail just for betting on Tennis

    Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      2 months ago

      I got a good laugh out of this.

      Yeah, at a certain point you have to realize you have a problem. Gambling on tennis (which I like, btw) would be it.

      Reply
      • TrumboJumbo

        2 months ago

        Bet on Rafa

        Reply
      • Fever Pitch Guy

        2 months ago

        Halos – At one of the games I attended, two guys next to me were betting on the ball toss to the pitchers mound at the end of each half inning … whether it would stop on the grass or on the dirt.

        Reply
        • HalosHeavenJJ

          2 months ago

          That’s the cup game. You bet on everything. It’s fun.

          And also the sign of a problem ha ha.

        • TrumboJumbo

          2 months ago

          HHJJ is a true gambler….I can spot my own kind a mile away haha

      • getrealgone2

        2 months ago

        There are people who bet on disc golf. No lie

        Reply
        • TrumboJumbo

          2 months ago

          That’s nothing. I’ve bet on the color of the gatorade they pour on the super bowl winning coach a few times. Seriously.

        • tstats

          2 months ago

          Blue this year, book it!!

    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 months ago

      Senior circuit doubles to boot.

      Reply
  10. sliderwithcheeze

    2 months ago

    I already have my PR people involved. We plan on showing entrapment and spreading our message all over social media under the #freethepuig hashtag.

    Reply
  11. Fred Park

    2 months ago

    That plea dates all the way back to Shoeless Joe Jackson, for pete’s sake.
    Too dumb to understand what gambling is?
    Run another one by us.

    Reply
  12. gtownfan

    2 months ago

    #puigmanbear

    Reply
  13. fffbbb

    2 months ago

    Good I hope he ends up in jail.

    Reply
  14. CaseyAbell

    2 months ago

    Maybe he should have learned about gambling in third grade. Might have saved him some trouble.

    Reply
  15. HalosHeavenJJ

    2 months ago

    I can’t imagine answering legal questions in my second language. Seems like a guaranteed way to end up in prison.

    Reply
    • TrumboJumbo

      2 months ago

      His lawyer shouldn’t have allowed him to so much as breath HHJJ. Let alone speak to the Feds. I agree.

      Reply
      • TrumboJumbo

        2 months ago

        **breathe**

        Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      2 months ago

      There’s a very strong likelihood that he answered them in his native tongue. Many agents are bilingual and they employ interpreters who are readily available for interviews for non-English-speaking interviewees.

      I would be very surprised if they interviewed him in English without the opportunity to interview in Spanish.

      Reply
      • HalosHeavenJJ

        2 months ago

        Good point. The case is being handled by the Orange County division of the FBI and they have tons of bilingual agents, I’m sure.

        Reply
      • prov356

        2 months ago

        You’re right Clipper. He would have had an interpreter for the interview.

        Reply
  16. TrumboJumbo

    2 months ago

    I have NEVER heard that Puig has merely a 3rd grade education. Maybe that is the “new evidence” that has surfaced…His lawyer probably just found out and was stunned himself. Now he’s going to tell the court that the poor man is too dumb to even lace up his cleats by himself and to have mercy on him.

    Reply
    • prov356

      2 months ago

      All parties knew he had a third grade education, if it’s true. That is one of the questions specifically asked.

      Reply
  17. Qlj222222

    2 months ago

    Lawyers told him he could win the case so he change his mind, not because he isn’t guilty but because he has a good chance winning but we all know he’s guilty AF!

    Reply
    • RobM

      2 months ago

      Or, the lawyers realizing he only has a third-grade education, convinced him to change his plea as they’re sure they can run up his attorney fees until he doesn’t have a penny left.

      Reply
      • Ghost Pepper

        2 months ago

        He’d be fine with that as long as he got to keep his comic books and Hot Wheels.

        Reply
  18. Winslow Leach

    2 months ago

    Who cares about his gambling antics. He’s not going to the HOF.

    Reply
    • TrumboJumbo

      2 months ago

      Yeah, why are they even on this guy?! Bigger fish to fry..

      Reply
  19. RobM

    2 months ago

    I’m pretty sure I learned everything I needed to know by 3rd grade.

    Reply
  20. Orange and Black Giants 4ever

    2 months ago

    That’s not gonna work playa

    Reply
  21. A's Fan

    2 months ago

    his attorney is doing his job. that is why you retain one.

    Reply
  22. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    2 months ago

    I imagine Puig will never sniff the MLB again no matter which way this legal case goes.

    Reply
    • TrumboJumbo

      2 months ago

      Merc, at first read, I thought you had said “I imagine Puig will never snitch on MLB again.” Hahaha

      Reply
  23. Fink Ployed

    2 months ago

    Tienes que saber cuándo sujetarlos,
    saber cuándo doblarlos,
    saber cuándo ponerse de pie y luchar,
    saber cuándo correr

    Reply
  24. Oldman58

    2 months ago

    Not a fan but with all the crime taking place with no ramifications they worry about this? What a waste of court time

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 months ago

      Gambling and profiting itself isn’t illegal. It’s not reporting your winnings to the IRS. They’re involved with this case.

      Reply
  25. MannyBeingMVP

    2 months ago

    The gambling on other sports doesn’t bother me too much. The allegations of sexual battery are the only reason that I don’t feel bad for him. I am actually open to the idea that he isn’t too bright.

    Reply
  26. msqboxer

    2 months ago

    Just curious…what is MLB responsibility when they draft a 16 year old and he is poorly educated. I guess that’s why you read about all these kids getting victimized by agents.

    Reply
  27. jtm2889

    2 months ago

    Really glad to see that the U.S. government is investigating the important issues that the country is facing!

    I mean, how can we let a multi-millionaire gambling on sports slide?!?!

    Meanwhile, a certain someone who recently stole BILLIONS of dollars over an alleged “cryptocurrency exchange” is free as a bird and galavanting around the Bahamas.

    This is true justice!

    Reply
  28. JayRyder

    2 months ago

    Might as well Go For Broke!

    Reply
  29. citizen

    2 months ago

    If I wanted to read posts like this I’d subscribe to the national enquirer.
    hasn’t been in mlb in years.

    Reply
  30. MarlinsFanBase

    2 months ago

    I wonder if this case is hurting Puig’s agent in establishing a bidding war between WalMart, Target, Amazon, Ebay, Publix, KFC, Burger King, McDonald’s, etc looking to bring him onto their company beer league team. If so, he may have to settle on the offers that Pollo Tropical and Taco Bell have made.

    Reply
    • TrumboJumbo

      2 months ago

      Marlins, Your post made me pretty hungry….BK wooooo!

      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        2 months ago

        Trumbo, do you have Chick Fil A out there? Excuse the ignorance on my part.

        Reply
        • TrumboJumbo

          2 months ago

          Yeah Clip I love me some Chick Fila A! The lines get pretty brutal at times here. I think they are the Chicken version of In N Out basically. Always spot on and to the point!

        • Yankee Clipper

          2 months ago

          Never had In n Out, but Chick Fil A is tremendous! Had it for the first time when I visited Florida. Oh…my….goddess. Like heaven on a bun.

  31. puigpower

    2 months ago

    I love you Yasiel. He just wants to play baseball. Free Yasiel Puig

    Reply
    • MarlinsFanBase

      2 months ago

      He is free…to play in any league that isn’t MLB.

      Reply
  32. Altuve's Buzzer Cheat Device

    2 months ago

    I am not trying to be smart,
    I only want what I can get.
    I’m really sorry that you’ve been mislead
    But like you heard me said:
    Not guilty.
    -george harrison

    Reply
  33. brewsingblue82

    2 months ago

    That’s rough when it’s your defense saying that you have a third grade education.

    What’s the prosecuting attorneys counter measures? “We can prove he has AT LEAST a fourth grade education!”

    Reply
  34. Whonose

    2 months ago

    Bad move copping a plea early; attorney should have known better.

    Reply
  35. cheugy

    2 months ago

    What an absolute loser.

    Reply

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