Guardians Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz Indicted in Betting Scheme
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have been formally indicted on accusations of manipulating bets in Major League Baseball games. The indictment was filed earlier this week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of New York and made public by the Department of Justice on Sunday.
Details of the Indictment
Investigators allege that Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year, provided information about his pitching strategy to bettors. The indictment claims he occasionally used his cellphone during games to communicate upcoming pitches.
- Emmanuel Clase: Allegedly rigged certain pitches and tipped off bettors.
- Luis Ortiz: Arrested in Boston on Sunday; scheduled for an appearance in federal court on Monday.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Both players face four federal charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, each could face up to 65 years in prison.
MLB Cooperation
“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process.” — Major League Baseball statement to ESPN
Current Status
Ortiz is in custody and awaiting his court hearing, while Clase is not currently detained in the United States.
Author’s Summary: Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers face serious federal charges for allegedly rigging MLB games, marking one of the most significant betting scandals in recent baseball history.