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Politics & Government

Former Slugger Lenny Dykstra Pleads Guilty in Bankruptcy Fraud Case

Dykstra faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $750,000 when sentenced Dec. 3 for the fraud charges. He is already serving a three-year term behind bars in an auto theft case.

 

Jailed former Major League Baseball player Lenny Dykstra pleaded guilty today to federal bankruptcy fraud charges.

Dykstra -- who is already serving a three-year term behind bars in an auto theft case -- pleaded guilty to felony counts of bankruptcy fraud, concealing property from the bankruptcy estate and money laundering. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $750,000 when sentenced Dec. 3 by U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson.

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The ex-baseball star was charged in a federal indictment with selling "World Series-related" baseball memorabilia and equipment, including "gloves, balls, bats, batting gloves, a helmet, shoes, ticket stubs and magazines" that were part of his bankrupt estate, according to court papers.

Dykstra collected at least $15,000 from the illicit sales, Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. May told the court.

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Federal prosecutors allege that after he filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2009, Dykstra looted his $18 million Thousand Oaks mansion, lied about who stripped the home and denied receiving money for having sold items that were owned by the bankruptcy estate.

In April, the 49-year-old Dykstra was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation following his plea to one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and lewd conduct in a separate case, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.

The former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder also was ordered to stay away from five women named in the case. He has been banned from posting or soliciting on Craigslist or any other social networking site under any name.

The case stemmed from a series of complaints in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Prosecutors said Dykstra informed female applicants that a job in his home required them to give him a massage. During a July 2010 encounter with one woman, he exposed himself and held a knife, according to prosecutors.

Dykstra was sentenced March 5 to three years in prison after unsuccessfully trying to withdraw his October 2011 plea to three counts of grand theft auto and one count of filing a false financial statement.

Dykstra lived in Encino when he was arrested by LAPD's Commercial Crimes Division for the numerous felony charges.

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