Court ruling hints at financial penalties for Angels due to Arte Moreno's noncompliance

In a notable legal case in the United States, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels, Arte Moreno, alongside team chairman Dennis Kuhl, has failed to comply with a subpoena concerning the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs. This case, stemming from Skaggs' tragic death due to a fentanyl overdose on July 1, 2019, highlights allegations that the Angels organization was aware of a culture of illegal drug use but continued to provide access to Eric Kay, the communications manager involved. The Skaggs family claims that this negligence contributed to Skaggs’ death. The court referee’s ruling this week emphasizes that Moreno and Kuhl did not fulfill their discovery obligations as mandated by the court. The family seeks accountability, arguing that the Angels should have produced relevant metadata from their personal devices to illuminate the organization's culture regarding substance abuse. Additionally, the ruling indicates that financial sanctions against the Angels may be forthcoming due to their lack of cooperation. A pre-trial conference is anticipated on January 10, 2025, followed by the actual trial set for April 7, 2025. The court has sided with the Skaggs family in various recent disputes, indicating disapproval of the Angels’ attempts to delay the proceedings. Furthermore, the court has commanded a collection and examination of mobile devices belonging to up to 77 employees of the Angels organization for potentially relevant evidence, with the deadline for submitting documents by January 31, 2025. This legal conflict reflects broader issues about accountability within sports organizations, particularly regarding player welfare and organizational culture in relation to drug use, and it raises questions about the responsibilities of team owners and executives. The situation remains fluid as the upcoming legal proceedings will likely bring further developments regarding the organization’s transparency and approach to safety protocols.