Associated Press correspondent Ken Thomas reports in an article published in the Naples Daily News. Excerpt:
MIAMI — Former American League MVP Jose Canseco plans to hook himself up to a polygraph machine next week in front of reporters to prove his innocence in a Halloween night scuffle at a local night club.
Canseco, a free agent after playing last season with the Chicago White Sox, said Wednesday he never punched anyone during a night club fracas on Oct. 31 and accused two California men of trying to use the incident to extort money from him.
“There are a lot of lies being said here and I want everyone to be patient and understand that all of the truth will be brought out,” Canseco said.
Canseco and his twin brother Ozzie were released early Wednesday after being charged with aggravated battery. Police said Canseco grabbed a club patron by the neck, punched him and broke his nose. A second man needed 20 stitches in his lip.
Jose Canseco, 37, a Miami native, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, a second-degree felony. He was released from the Miami-Dade County Jail after posting a $15,000 bond.
Ozzie Canseco, who had a brief major league career and played the last two seasons with the minor league Newark (N.J.) Bears, was charged with one count of aggravated battery. The Miami Beach resident was released after posting a $7,500 bond. The Cansecos are scheduled to be arraigned before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Kevin Emas on Dec. 4.
Jose Canseco said he would publicly take a lie-detector test next week in Miami to clear his name.