Los Angeles police arrested former major-league baseball star Lenny Dykstra earlier this week after he allegedly tried to buy a stolen car. However, it looks like the former outfielder for the New York Mets is now facing completely different criminal charges that involve fraud.
The Associated Press reports that Los Angeles prosecutors have so far declined to file charges in connection with the stolen vehicle incident, but Dykstra is instead facing a federal charge of bankruptcy fraud in an unrelated federal case.
The ex Met has reportedly been accused of embezzling money from a bankruptcy estate. The athlete filed for bankruptcy two years ago, claiming that he owed more than $31 million and had only $50,000 in assets. Yet after the bankruptcy filing, Dykstra allegedly sold more than $400,000 worth of items without the permission of a bankruptcy trustee. The New York Daily News reported that these items of value included chandeliers, mirrors, artwork and other luxury furnishings that were being stored in the All-Star’s $18.5 million mansion.
Defense attorneys say that Lenny Dykstra will enter a not guilty plea to one count of bankruptcy fraud when he returns to court on May 16. If convicted of the charge, Dykstra could be facing up to five years in federal prison.
Apparently, Dykstra already spent seven days behind bars in Los Angeles before he was finally able to post $150,000 bond on Wednesday. As part of Dykstra’s release, he has agreed to surrender his passport to authorities and stay away from the people that are involved in his bankruptcy case.
Related Resources:
- Find a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- Fraud - Criminal Law (FindLaw)
- Former Baseball Great Lenny Dykstra Goes Bankrupt (Atlanta Bankruptcy Law News)
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