Guardians Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz Indicted in Alleged Betting Scheme
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted on charges of rigging bets on Major League Baseball games. The indictment was issued earlier this week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, with the Department of Justice announcing it publicly on Sunday.
Details of the Indictment
Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year, is accused of tipping off bettors about his planned pitches during games. Investigators claim he sometimes sent information via cellphone about what pitch he would throw and when.
"MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process," Major League Baseball said in a statement to ESPN.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
- Wire fraud conspiracy
- Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
- Conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery
- Money laundering conspiracy
Both players face these four charges. If convicted on all counts, they could face up to 65 years in prison.
Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday and is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday. Clase remains free and is not currently in custody in the United States.
Summary
The indictment alleges that two prominent Guardians pitchers manipulated game outcomes for gamblers, facing serious federal charges with harsh potential penalties.
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