A former MLB pitcher from the San Fernando Valley faces sentencing Tuesday for filing false tax returns in connection with an illegal gambling business that allegedly ensnared ex-Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig.
Erik Hiljus, 50, of Panorama City, pleaded guilty in December to two counts of filing false tax returns and faces up to six years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Hiljus — who briefly played for the Tigers — was an agent for the illegal gambling business but did not work with Puig, prosecutors said.
The business was run by Wayne Nix, 46, a former minor league pitcher who lives in Newport Coast. Nix pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 7.
Puig faces federal charges of obstruction of justice and lying to investigators about bets on sporting events that he allegedly placed with Nix’s operation. A motions hearing is expected Wednesday in Los Angeles federal court to discuss defense allegations that he was targeted for prosecution because of his skin color.
Puig, 32, who most recently played in South Korea, initially agreed to plead guilty to the lying count, but withdrew from the agreement in November and now faces trial.
In May 2019, Puig allegedly began placing bets on sporting events through a third party who worked on behalf of Nix’s gambling business. Within a month, Puig had run up $282,900 in losses, prosecutors allege.
After a dispute, prosecutors contend, Puig paid $200,000 in cashier’s checks, and Nix again provided direct access to the betting websites. From July 2019 to September 2019, Puig allegedly placed 899 additional bets on tennis, football and basketball games through the websites.
In January 2022, federal investigators interviewed Puig in the presence of his lawyer. During the interview, despite being warned that lying to federal agents is a crime, Puig allegedly lied several times, according to court papers.
During the interview, prosecutors allege he falsely stated that he only knew the third party from baseball and that he never discussed gambling with him. He also allegedly denied knowing the person who instructed him to pay $200,000 in cashier’s checks.
Hiljus made his Major League Baseball debut for the Detroit Tigers in 1999, but pitched more often for the Oakland Athletics in 2001 and 2002, ending his career for the A’s affiliate in 2003.