Yasiel Puig News: An Update in the Former Dodgers Star’s Legal Saga

Earlier this month, it was reported that former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig had reached an agreement to plead guilty to lying to federal investigators in a case involving an illegal sports gambling operation. Last week, word came down that Puig and his team were reconsidering the guilty plea in light of new evidence, and that became official on Wednesday when Puig’s team announced he was pleading not guilty.

ALL I HAVE TO SAY is that I am very proud to have renowned civil rights attorney Lawrence Middleton come on board. @YasielPuig pic.twitter.com/pxgORkOYlg

— MLB Player Agent Lisette Carnet (@lisettecarnet) November 30, 2022

According to the press release:

Attorneys for Yasiel Puig announced today that significant new evidence has prompted Puig to withdraw his agreement to plead guilty to a charge of lying to federal investigators and change his plea to not guilty. …

Although Puig was eligible for probation under his plea agreement, he has decided to fight the allegations.

”I want to clear my name,” Puig said. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”

Puig’s attorney, Keri Axel of Waymaker LLP, said significant new evidence has come to light that prompted the change in plea. She is in discussions with the government about that evidence.

“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,” she said. “We have reviewed the evidence, including significant new information, and have serious concerns about the allegations made against Yasiel.”

The press release also says Puig has retained the services of renowned civil rights attorney Lawrence Middleton. All of this suggests Puig’s defense will focus on him not having his own interpreter or a criminal attorney present for his interview with investigators. Those aren’t just technicalities in a case like this, which hinges on things he said in an interview.

Puig’s agent, Lisette Carnet, has previously said Puig’s upbringing in “authoritarian Cuba,” government interviews are triggering and worsen the symptoms of his ADHD and other mental health issues. At the time of the interview in question, Puig’s issues were still undiagnosed and therefore untreated.

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