It isn’t often that the Seattle Mariners manage to make headlines in October, but they’ve managed to pull off the unlikely feat with some pretty serious legal drama.
The wife of Mariners outfielder Carlos Peguero has been accused of allegedly using a debit card belonging to Felix Hernandez‘s wife, making nearly $180,000 in online purchases, according to the Seattle Times. Maria Jacqueline Peguero has been charged with three counts of wire fraud, and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to the report, Maria Peguero has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on bond. Reportedly, Maria Peguero used Sandra Hernandez‘s debit card to make more than 60 transactions to have nearly $180,000 in merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue delivered to her apartment between the months of June and October in 2012.
The two wives spent time together at the Hernandez house when the Mariners were on a road trip during the 2012 season, and they did some online shopping while together. Hernandez told investigators that Peguero had access to her credit cards during that time, after Maria asked for help, citing her limited knowledge of the English language.
Maria Peguero was also arrested in 2010 for shoplifting at a TJ Maxx, according to court documents.
Carlos Peguero signed with the Mariners in 2005, and has played in 65 games with the club. The outfielder has told investigators that he was unaware of his wife’s alleged purchases.
