Report: Federal Grand Jury Is Probing MLB’s Dealings in Latin America

Agents from the FBI and lawyers from the Department of Justice are involved with the investigation.

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 18: A detail view of the MLB logo on the baseball pants of Starlin Castro of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on September 18, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 18: A detail view of the MLB logo on the baseball pants of Starlin Castro of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on September 18, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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A federal grand jury is probing the way that Major League Baseball teams have been doing business in Latin America and the league is worried, three sources told Yahoo Sports.

Agents from the FBI and lawyers from the Department of Justice who specialize in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases are involved with the investigation into MLB’s international actions.

The amount is unclear, but subpoenas to club officials and other personnel involved in transactions with Latin American players have been issued. There may be multiple targets, but officials involved with the signing of Cuban star Hector Olivera are believed to be one.

Issues the investigation could be targeting range from officials skimming money from signing bonuses to the smuggling of Cuban players to doping teens with performance-enhancing drugs.

“MLB’s culpability in the larger scheme of how teams operate in Latin America is a vexing question – and one commissioner Rob Manfred will have to answer,” according to Yahoo. “What did the league know about Olivera? MLBPA executive director Tony Clark will be pressed similarly: Was Olivera’s representation aware of anything? Officials from the league, MLBPA, Dodgers and Braves declined comment. Olivera’s agent, Greg Genske, did not return messages seeking comment.”

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