Doping-accused Yankees star Alex Rodriguez paid 305,000 dollars to buy evidence including videotapes, documents and affidavits that could have incriminated him or that would be used in his defense in an arbitration or court proceeding, according to a source familiar with the case.
According to the New York Daily News, the admission came as documents were submitted to arbiter Fredric Horowitz, who is expected to rule in December on whether Rodriguez's suspension will stand, be reduced or thrown out.
Rodriguez's legal team, led by criminal defense attorney Joe Tacopina, has accused Major League Baseball in the press and in a lawsuit filed against the league in New York State Court of conducting a 'witch hunt' in its investigation and of paying for evidence as well, a claim MLB chief operating officer Rob Manfred has previously confirmed, both publicly and in the arbitration hearing this week, the report said.
A spokesman for Rodriguez was not immediately available for comment, the report added.
Manfred himself acknowledged paying money to buy evidence as he said there was nothing wrong in purchasing documents in an investigation.
