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Former Devil Rays infielder Julio Lugo (2003-2006) has been charged in court with kidnapping, according to multiple reports out of the Dominican Republic.
Lugo last professionally played baseball for los Leones del Escogido, and last played stateside for the Braves in 2011.
Dictan orden de arresto contra ex pelotero Julio Lugo por supuesto secuestro. Leelo aqui ===> http://t.co/sNjRA9Zhzj http://t.co/EtNeNP0ZtR
— El Lider News (@ellidernews) April 21, 2015
Lugo's arrest warrant was issued in the cities of La Romana and Santo Domingo for kidnapping and the posession of fire arms. According to the paper, Lugo and four men held their hostage and his girlfriend at gunpoint, demanding money that had allegedly been invested in a business venture.
A rough translation of the article includes how Lugo had, "always been willing to talk about it [finances], assuring him [the victim] that the money invested in the company, as well as that of other investors, was sure."
The man reporting the incident, Angel Luis Peguero Polanco, claims he was held hostage at a villa owned by his father, which had been used as collateral for the money invested.
Polanco would report to a local hospital with injuries sustained from one of the other men, reportedly under the direction of Lugo, according to publication 7dias. In turn, the man is attempting to face Lugo in court.
As of publishing, it does not appear Lugo has answered summons, or responded to the warrant that resulted from his absence.
UPDATE - The Assistant GM for the Tigres del Licey responded to Hardball Talk's Craig Calcaterra on the matter. He claims there's more than meets the eye with this story, as noted below, but notes there was in fact some kind of altercation.
@craigcalcaterra Let's say that not all of the "facts" alleged by the affected person, are exactly clear. Although, there was an incident.
— Carlos Jose Lugo (@carlosjlugo) April 23, 2015