Federal prosecutors want Yasiel Puig to serve a lengthy stay behind bars after he wasconvicted of federal crimes earlier this year.
A sentencing memorandum filed in a California court on Tuesday and obtained by The California Post on Wednesday shows that feds are requesting an 18-month prison sentence for the ex-Dodgers star who was found guilty in February of obstruction of justice and making false statements.
According to the filing, prosecutors are also asking for a sentence that includes three years probation as well as a $55,000 fine.
The feds argued in the memo that the sentence would be “sufficient” because it “reflects thenature and severity of defendant’s crimes and his lack of remorse” as well as “punishes defendant and deters both defendant and those contemplating committing similar offenses.”
It also “acknowledges defendant’s history and characteristics,” prosecutors added.
Puig’s attorney, however, said ina statement to The Athletic— which was first to report the news of the filing — that he hoped his client would receive a far less stringent sentencing.
“Yasiel Puig is a first-time offender who has already been punished through years of prosecution, reputational damage, financial consequences, and the effective destruction of his professional life,” Keri Curtis Axel said.
“A prison sentence is not proportional to the conduct and would not accomplish any rehabilitative purpose here. The Court has complete discretion over the sentence, and the defense will request a sentence of probation.”
Prosecutors accused Puig ofparticipating in an illegal sports gambling ringin 2019 and then lying about his involvement in it during interviews with investigators years later.
Puig initially agreed to plead guilty in the case, but ultimatelybacked out of the pactand took the matter to trial.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
