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Dykstra Pleads Not Guilty To Grand Theft, Fraud Charges

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Former baseball star Lenny Dykstra pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of grand theft and financial fraud.

Dykstra, 48, who is already facing charges of bankruptcy fraud in federal court, entered the plea in a San Fernando courtroom.

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports the former Mets and Phillies All-Star outfielder was wearing a new uniform: an orange jail jumpsuit with a chain around the waist.

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Prosecutor Alexander Karkanen alleges that Dykstra filed the false documents in order to lease high-end cars through a shell company that in actuality had very little in assets.

"The bank documentation that he was presenting that showed that he had millions of dollars and that the company had hundreds of thousands of dollars was all fake," said Karkanen.

Dykstra, a player known as "Nails" who reportedly made more than $36 million in his pro baseball career, is facing drug charges along with charges of grand theft auto, ID theft and filing false financial instruments.

He also faces federal charges for allegedly seizing and selling items out of his $18 million mansion after filing for bankruptcy protection.

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