At a Glance
- Former MLB star Lenny Dykstra faces drug charges after a trooper found cocaine, MDMA and marijuana in a vehicle he rode in during a New Year’s stop.
- Police said charges will be filed but did not specify details.
- Lawyer claims charges will be swiftly absolved.
- Why it matters: The case highlights a former professional athlete’s ongoing legal troubles and the potential impact on his reputation and future.
Former Major League Baseball star Lenny Dykstra is now under investigation for drug possession after a trooper discovered cocaine, MDMA and marijuana in a vehicle he was riding in during a traffic stop on New Year’s Day.
The Traffic Stop
On Jan. 1, a trooper from the Blooming Grove patrol unit in Pike County pulled over a vehicle about 25 miles east of Scranton, where Dykstra resides. The trooper reported finding drug paraphernalia in the passenger seat.
Police stated:
> “Charges will be filed but did not specify what they may be or what drugs were allegedly involved.”
Legal Response
Dykstra’s lawyer, Matthew Blit, said the vehicle did not belong to him and that he was not accused of being under the influence. He added that any charges would be swiftly absolved.
Matthew Blit said:
> “To the extent charges are brought against him, they will be swiftly absolved.”
Past Legal History
Dykstra’s record includes multiple convictions and plea deals over the years, ranging from bankruptcy fraud to sexual misconduct.
- 2006: California prison for bankruptcy fraud, sentenced to more than six months for hiding baseball gloves and other items from his playing days.
- 2007: Concurrent three-year sentence for pleading no contest to grand theft auto and providing a false financial statement.
- 2012: Pleaded no contest to exposing himself to women via Craigslist.
- 2019: Pleaded guilty on behalf of Titan Equity Group to illegally renting out rooms in a New Jersey house; fined about $3,000.
- 2019: Drug and terroristic threat charges dropped after an altercation with an Uber driver; police found cocaine, MDMA and marijuana among his belongings.
- 2020: New York Supreme Court judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit Dykstra filed against former Mets teammate Ron Darling.
Key Takeaways
- Dykstra faces new drug charges after a trooper found substances in a vehicle he rode in.
- His lawyer asserts the charges will be dropped swiftly.
- His legal history includes multiple convictions and a recent dismissal of a defamation suit.
The case adds another chapter to Dykstra’s tumultuous legal saga, underscoring the scrutiny faced by former athletes in the public eye.
