CaribWorldNews, SANTO DOMINGO, DR, Fri. Oct. 30, 2009: The Washington Nationals baseball team has been ordered to pay $40,000 in damages to a scout who was fired `unjustly.`
A Dominican Republic tribunal has ruled that the team must pay Jose Baez, the Nationals' former director of operations in the Dominican Republic. They agreed with his lawsuit that he was fired unjustly after signing a prospect that lied about his age.
Baez and special assistant to the general manager Jose Rijo signed a Esmailyn Gonzalez in 2006. Gonzalez at the time said he was 16.
A Major League Baseball investigation determined Gonzalez was 4 years older and also lied about his name. As such, they fired Baez who sued. Rijo was also fired.
The Nationals have declined comment on the court ruling.
