Former Major League Baseball outfielder Yasiel Puig was found guilty of obstruction and lying to federal investigators in a gambling case, while the Small Business Administration (SBA) suspended over 100,000 California borrowers amid suspected fraud, and authorities are reviewing a new message in the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie. These events, along with a controversial video posted by Donald Trump and the booing of JD Vance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, dominated headlines on Friday.
A jury found Puig guilty in a federal gambling case, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. The trial included testimony from MLB officials and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii baseball coach tied to Puig and the illegal gambling operation. Puig, who played for three major league teams and has not appeared in an MLB game since 2019, now faces up to 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 26, according to Fox News.
The SBA announced it had suspended 111,620 California borrowers linked to suspected fraudulent activity across SBA pandemic-era loan programs. These borrowers received 118,489 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans totaling more than $8.6 billion, according to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
In other news, authorities are investigating a new message in the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. The Tucson, Ariz., television station KOLD received the message one day after Ms. Guthrie's son, Camron, reiterated the family's plea for her safe return. The Pima County Sheriffs Department and the F.B.I. released statements acknowledging the new message, but gave no further details, according to the NY Times.
Former President Donald Trump deleted a video portraying former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes, but insisted he had nothing to apologize for. The clip, set to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," was part of a longer video promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, according to the NY Times.
Vice President JD Vance was booed at the Winter Games opening ceremony in Milan. The crowd's mood shifted when the screen switched from the athletes to the stands, where Mr. Vance and his wife were waving American flags. Their appearance on the screens lasted for only a few seconds but was met with jeers and boos, according to the NY Times.
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