SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The lawyer for a Dominican baseball coach is denying allegations that he sexually abused two teen players in 2003.
Norberto Rondon says the accusations against Enrique Soto are part of a blackmail scheme stemming from a financial dispute over another player’s major league baseball contract.
Rondon said Thursday he is appealing a judge’s decision to detain Soto for at least three months while the charges are investigated.
Soto has been charged in the southern city of Bani with abusing two brothers who were 16 and 17 at the time. He’s facing up to 15 years in prison.
Soto has coached a number of players who went on to the major leagues, including Miguel Tejada and brothers Willy and Erick Aybar.
