The attorney for an Agoura Hills accountant who admitted lying to federal investigators in connection with an illegal gambling ring that led to charges against former Dodger Yasiel Puig said Thursday her client takes "full responsibility" for making false statements, which were made in an effort to protect client privacy.
William Eric Fulton, 59, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single count of making false statements, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 29, when he faces up to five years in prison. Under the terms of his plea deal, Fulton agreed to pay a fine of at least $673,290, prosecutors said.
On Thursday, Fulton's attorney, Vicki Podberesky, issued a statement saying Fulton "takes full responsibility for making misstatements to federal authorities and deeply apologizes to his clients, partners, staff and family for his lapse of judgment."
"While his misstatements were misguided, they were done out of a desire to protect client privacy -- a fundamental principle that he has observed and honored during his 32 years of experience in financial management," Podberesky said. "His partners and employees stand behind him as the managing partner of the firm, and it will continue to provide the highest level of financial and tax preparation services in the industry."
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Fulton performed accounting work for former minor league baseball player Wayne Joseph Nix, 46, of Newport Coast, who orchestrated the gambling ring for nearly 20 years. Nix pleaded guilty last year to one count each of conspiracy to operate an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return. His sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2024.
Prosecutors said Fulton laundered proceeds from the gambling operation by transferring money between various accounts and sending checks or wiring money to gambling clients who won large bets. He also helped Nix obtain bank loans to fund the business, prosecutors said, noting that Fulton charged Nix more than $330,000 in fees for his services over a 10-year period.
Fulton also admitted to providing Nix with personal loans that total $1.25 million, giving Nix access to fast cash when he needed to pay his clients, prosecutors said. Fulton also placed bets with Nix, including three that involved one of Fulton's sports-industry clients, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said that during an October 2021 interview, Fulton lied to investigators by claiming he had no knowledge of Nix's involvement in sports gambling and denying that he had ever placed bets with him.
Nix's longtime partner in the gambling operation, Edon Yoshida Kagasoff, 45, of Lake Forest, pleaded guilty in April 2022 to one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and was sentenced earlier this month to six months of probation and a $1,000 fine. He was also ordered to forfeit $3.1 million he earned through the operation.
Puig is facing charges of one federal count each of making false statements and obstruction of justice in connection with the case. He initially agreed to plead guilty in the case but later changed his mind. His trial is tentatively set for January.
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