Florida Marlins’ Leo Nunez admits using forged documents – MLB News
Florida Marlins’ closer Leo Nunez has admitted of using falsified identity documents on Friday, September 23. Prosecutors in Dominican Republic announced the arrest of Hector Bienvenido Pena Diaz, the person responsible for supplying Nunez with forged documents
when he first signed a professional contract with Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000.
Apparently, authorities in Santo Domingo have searched Pena Diaz’s La Vega residence and have come up with evidence that will assist in strengthening the case against the individuals responsible.
Marlins placed Nunez on the restricted list on Wednesday, September 21, ending his season and sending him back to his native land to sort out his issue with the related authorities for allegedly forging his information.
Central Electoral Commission President Roberto Rosario, while talking to reporters, confirmed that Nunez has admitted of using forged documents. His real name is supposedly Juan Carlos Oviedo and his actual age is 29, a year more than what the documents
suggest.
Major League Baseball’s stance on this situation remains unclear. An MLB spokesman, while talking to reporters, confirmed Nunez’s departure from the league and confirmed that this had nothing to do with disciplinary issues.
Nunez’s team-mates were unaware of this situation until manager Jack McKeon was notified that Leo would not join them on the chartered flight to Milwaukee. Emilio Bonifacio, Nunez’s team-mate and fellow Dominican also stated that his ex-agent inquired him
about Leo through a message but he could not talk to him in detail. He further said, “What's done is done. He's our teammate and we have to support him. We're not here to tell him he was right or wrong."
Edward Mujica also refused to comment on Nunez’s situation, adding that his messages to the fellow relief pitcher have remained unanswered. He said, "They do it because they want to get a better life. If you sign at 16 years old you're going to get a lot
of money. At 18, you get $5,000 and an opportunity to play. That's it."
There are no such rules governing the fate of players who falsify their identity in MLB, except for a penalty which is subject to the commissioner’s discretion. It still remains unclear as to how the Marlins and MLB deal with Nunez.
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