Lenny Dykstra Gets 3 Years In Prison For GTA

Lenny Dykstra, the former professional outfielder for the New York Mets, received his sentence on charges of providing false financial statements as well as grand theft auto. After pleading no contest, Dykstra was sentenced Monday to serve three years in a California state prison.

Dykstra’s scam involved claiming a line of credit through a fake company in order to lease luxury automobiles from unsuspecting car dealerships. After Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ulfig denied his request to withdraw his plea, Ulfig said that the scam showed extensive planning and sophistication for which he was ultimately sentenced 3 years in prison.

The 49 year old former professional baseball player has had an unfortunate string of run-ins with the authorities resulting in legal repercussions including the most recent sentencing. The ex-New York Mets outfielder has found himself in a downward spiral which has ripped him from the enchanted lifestyle of a professional athlete to a sober living facility and now California state prison.

Defense attorney, Andrew Flier, said that his client (Dykstra) was singled out due to his celebrity status. Flier was quoted saying the following:

“No way this wasn’t a probationary case. To Give him state prison is outrageous. I find it disgusting.”

Dykstra was arrested in his Los Angeles home by police who found ecstasy, cocaine, and synthetic human growth hormone (HGH) in his possession. After his initial not guilty plea on all 25 counts, Lenny Dykstra decided that it was in his best interest to change his plea to no contest and prosecutors decided to drop 21 counts in exchange for his change of plea.

Rober Hymers, Dykstra’s accountant, and 30 year old friend Christopher Gavanis, executed the scam at a dealer which allowed them to drive off the lot with three high-end cars. This seemingly successful attempt to scam a dealership out of vehicles was the third attempt that Dykstra had made after his first two attempts ended in failure. To Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ulfig, this clearly conveyed Dykstra’s intent to perpetrate the crime without being dissuaded by his initial two failures.

Dressed in a gray suit with a blue shirt, Dykstra rambled a plea for probation and went on to say:

“I’m doing everything in my power to be a better person.”

Deputy District Attorney Alexander Karkanen argued for the maximum sentence of 4 years as he said that Dykstra has been using his charm and celebrity status to get what he wants without being held accountable. Karkanen further reiterated his point outside of the court as he declared:

I’m glad Lenny Dykstra has been held responsible for his behavior. This is the first for him.

This is certainly not the only legal trouble that Dykstra has found himself in as the former Mets and Phillies slugger continues to face charges on federal bankruptcy and exposing himself to a women that he became acquainted with through the Craigslist website.

Dykstra claimed that he was unable to attend the funeral of his mother who passed away while he was awaiting trial and under lock and key. Additionally, he made note of the nearly $20 million in taxes that he’s paid and went on to say:

I do have remorse for some of the things I’ve done, but because I wasn’t a perfect person am I a criminal? Everyone wants to make me out to be a monster.”

Do you think Lenny Dykstra deserves his 3 year prison sentence?

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