Former Dodgers outfielder Raúl Mondesi has been released from house arrest after a Dominican court ruled that his original prison sentence had been satisfied. Mondesi had been serving house arrest since his 2017 conviction for embezzlement of public funds associated with his role as mayor of San Cristóbal, his hometown in the Dominican Republic.
The court’s ruling means that Mondesi, 53, is now a free man. His original sentence of six years, nine months in prison has been deemed fulfilled by the duration of his house arrest. In addition to the prison sentence, Mondesi was ordered to pay a $1.3 million fine for defrauding over $6 million and was barred from holding public office for 10 years. Three of his staff members also received sentences.
Mondesi, known for his mercurial nature both on and off the field, had a successful career as a ballplayer. He twice achieved the feat of hitting at least 30 home runs and stealing at least 30 bases in a season, earning him a place in the elite 30-30 club. He won two Gold Gloves for his exceptional play in right field and was highly regarded in the Dominican Republic, where he was considered a hero.
Despite his success in baseball, Mondesi’s personal life took a downward turn. He expressed discontent and demanded a trade from the Dodgers in 1999, leading to his eventual departure from the team. He went on to have three productive seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays before retiring in 2005 after stints with several other teams.
Following his retirement, Mondesi returned to San Cristóbal and entered politics. He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 2006 and later became the mayor of San Cristóbal in 2010. However, his political career was marred by allegations of questionable financial transactions, which ultimately led to his conviction for embezzlement.
Mondesi’s fall from grace, from a beloved figure in baseball to a convicted thief, has been a shocking turn of events. Despite the glowing predictions made about his potential during his early career, his personal and legal troubles have overshadowed his achievements on the field.
