MLB Pays the Dominican Official That Promoted the 'Wrong Identity' Theory in David Ortiz Shooting
By Ryan Giglio
The David Ortiz shooting story has taken a few turns since the incident went down in June.
The latest news may question the validity of the Dominican police's public statements regarding the situation.
The Boston Globe revealed that Dominican National Police Colonel Frank Felix Duran Mejia has been on Major League Baseball's payroll for more than 10 years.
Distrust of the government runs deep in the Dominican Republic. So does Major League Baseball’s influence. https://t.co/abcBs1djOD
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 25, 2019
Duran is one of three high-ranking Dominican law enforcement officials paid by the league as resident security agents. They report to commissioner Rob Manfred to ensure nothing illegal is happening with MLBers, including scouts, prospects and players.
The fact that Duran works closely with MLB and is actually a paid employee could raise concerns about his transparency regarding the Ortiz shooting. Corruption is prevalent throughout the Dominican Republic, so it's not out of the question for people to think Duran buried the rumors that linked the shooting a paid hit job on the Red Sox legend. Anything that could make Ortiz look bad is a reflection on the MLB after all, so a mistaken identity narrative helps with protecting the image.
The Boston Globe did not find evidence that MLB illegally influenced Duran on the Ortiz investigation, however, Ortiz did just hire his own private investigator to find out more about the shooting.
David Ortiz has hired former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis to investigate his shooting at a Dominican nightclub in June, according to a statement from the former Red Sox slugger's spokesman. https://t.co/qVe9YdJ3CN
— CNN (@CNN) August 26, 2019
Perhaps this investigation reveals new information.
On a lighter note, whatever happens with either investigation, it's nice to see Ortiz looking healthy in a picture he shared to Instagram.