Alex Rodriguez payment to Tony Bosch's attorney rejected, per report

The attorney representing Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch reportedly rejected a payment of nearly $50,000 from Alex Rodriguez, a payment being used as evidence that Rodriguez attempted to tamper with MLB's ongoing PED investigation.

By Jason Patt@Bulls_Jay Aug 18, 2013, 11:56pm EDT

The attorney for Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch rejected a wire payment of nearly $50,000 from New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez after Rodriguez initially paid for the attorney, according to ESPN's T.J. Quinn and Pedro Gomez.

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Rodriguez is currently in the midst of the appeals process for his 211-game suspension from MLB for his connection to Bosch and Biogenesis. The second wire transfer, which was described as a mistake by Rodriguez's former attorneys, is being used as evidence that the Yankees star tried to tamper with MLB's ongoing investigation of Biogenesis.

Bosch's attorney, Susy Ribero-Ayala, released a statement via a spokesperson to "Outside the Lines" on Sunday saying the second payment was unsolicited:

"A retainer was paid (via wire transfer) by a representative of Alex Rodriquez (sic). Ms. Ribero-Ayala accepted this payment on behalf of Anthony Bosch as payment for his legal representation," the statement says.

"In April 2013, Ms. Ribero-Ayala received an unsolicited and unwarranted wire transfer from A-Rod Corp. The funds were immediately returned. Mr. Rodriquez (sic) does not have any involvement in Mr. Bosch's legal representation."

Ribero-Ayala and Jared Lopez, a partner with the law firm representing Rodriguez at the time, exchanged emails discussing the transfer. Lopez told Ribero-Ayala that the money was sent in error and requested it be immediately returned, which it was.

This latest development seems to contradict earlier reports that Bosch attempted to "shake down" Rodriguez for money before finally agreeing to cooperate with MLB's investigation in June. Some investigators reportedly believe the second payment was made in order to prevent Bosch from providing MLB with evidence against Rodriguez.