Ex-Angels staffer charged in connection to Skaggs' overdose

Former Los Angeles Angels communications director Eric Kay has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection to Tyler Skaggs' overdose and death in 2019, prosecutors announced Friday.

The affidavit, filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, Texas, said Kay and Skaggs had a "history of narcotic transactions" and Kay distributed "pills to (Skaggs) and others in their place of employment and while they were working," according to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times.

Skaggs died July 1, 2019, in his hotel room while the Angels were in town to play the Texas Rangers. A toxicology report found alcohol, oxycodone, and fentanyl in his system. According to the affidavit, it was subsequently determined that had it not been for the fentanyl, Skaggs would not have died.

Kay, who appeared in court Friday morning, had been supplying fentanyl "beginning in or before 2017," according to the affidavit.

The Angels released a statement in response to the charge against their former employee.

"In order to comprehensively understand the circumstances that led to (Skaggs') death, we hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct an independent investigation," the Angels said.

"We learned that there was unacceptable behavior inconsistent with our code of conduct and we took steps to address it. Our investigation also confirmed that no one in management was aware, or informed, of any employee providing opioids to any player, nor that Tyler was using opioids.

"As we try to heal from the loss of Tyler, we continue to work with authorities as they complete their investigation."

Kay faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.