Credit: Reuters/Danny Moloshok

Ex-baseball star Lenny Dykstra pleads guilty to bankruptcy fraud

(Reuters) - Onetime World Series hero Lenny Dykstra pleaded guilty on Friday to bankruptcy fraud and other charges stemming from a scheme to loot more than $200,000 in sports memorabilia, home furnishings and other property from his bankruptcy case.


The 49-year-old former ballplayer, who is already serving time in state prison for grand theft auto, lewd conduct and assault with a deadly weapon, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars years in the fraud case.

"Mr. Dykstra's days of playing games with the public and legal system are over," U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. said in a statement after the plea hearing in federal court in Los Angeles.

"These convictions should serve as a cautionary tale of a high-flying sports celebrity who tried to manipulate and exploit both his creditors and the bankruptcy laws of the United States," Birotte said.

Dykstra, a popular member of the 1986 World Champion New York Mets nicknamed "Nails" during his playing days, spoke little during the hearing, offering mostly one-word answers to the judge.

Under a plea deal with prosecutors, he waived his right to appeal if he was sentenced to no more than 51 months in prison and $200,000 in restitution.