Jim Bowden, the current Nats and former Reds GM, has struck me for quite some time as a big idiot working in MLB. It seems like he’s a kid with a bunch of baseball cards, willing to trade them when he gets bored or when someone comes knocking on his door. Bowden’s track record precedes him — he’s done wonderful things with the Nats since their inception, no? Anyway, the DUI maven himself is reportedly being investigated by the FBI along with his assistant, Jose Rijo, for skimming signing money from Dominican players. The investigation began after a few White Sox employees were busted for skimming bonus money from Dominican players.
MLB sources said FBI and baseball investigators have been speaking to numerous officials, however they said Bowden and Rijo were among those specifically under investigation for their suspected involvement.
One source, an MLB official speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the investigation was “in its infancy” and involved allegations about several teams and their employees. It was unclear whether Bowden and Rijo are suspected of receiving money or whether they are believed to have played some other role in the scheme.
Let’s see, DUIs, dumb trades, deceitful trades, fights with girlfriends … hmm, why does money skimmer not seem too improbable? Can’t wait to see what develops from this situation. Man, between the Bowden/Rijo money skimming deal and an Orioles scout being fired for ties to a betting ring, we sure are entering some promising territory. Bowden of course has denied any wrongdoing, but what would you expect him to do? Maybe he just paid the reporters some hush money with his scraps from the Dominican signing bonuses. Class act.
