That loss amount means Correa faces three to four years under federal sentencing guidelines.

Correa, in that hearing, claimed that he “trespassed. . . based on suspicions that (the Astros) had misappropriated proprietary work from myself and my colleagues.” He was able to gain access to the first account because an Astros employee used a password that was similar to one that he used while working for the Cardinals.

“So you broke in their house to find out if they were stealing your stuff?” Hughes summarized.

Correa also claimed he told unspecified “colleagues” about what he claims he found.

Houston and its general manager, Jeff Luhnow, have repeatedly denied being in possession of proprietary Cardinals information. A lawyer for the Astros has said that the Cardinals have never raised any concerns about the issue, and Cardinals officials have denied Correa’s claims.

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