A man from Orange County has been sentenced to six months’ probation and has been ordered to forfeit $3 million for his involvement in an illegal bookmaking business that allegedly targeted former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig.
Edon Kagasoff, a 45-year-old resident of Lake Forest, pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of conspiring to operate the gambling operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The business was initiated around 10 years ago by Wayne Nix, a 46-year-old former minor league pitcher residing in Newport Coast. Nix pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy charges related to running an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 20.
Puig, who is now 32 years old and most recently played professional baseball in South Korea, is facing trial in January in downtown Los Angeles on one federal count each of making false statements and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors have alleged that Puig began placing bets on sporting events in May 2019 through a third party. These bets were then funneled to Sand Island Sports, an online sportsbook based in Costa Rica, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Erik Hiljus, a former MLB pitcher from the San Fernando Valley who worked as an agent for Nix’s business, was sentenced in April to three months’ home detention for filing false tax returns.
Hiljus, who is 50 years old and a resident of Panorama City, has also been ordered to pay $194,701 in fines and restitution. He pleaded guilty last December in Los Angeles federal court to two counts of filing false tax returns.
Hiljus made his MLB debut for the Tigers in 1999 but pitched more frequently for the Oakland Athletics in 2001 and 2002. He concluded his career playing for an A’s affiliate in 2003.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
