NEW YORK (RTW) — Two Major League Baseball pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, both playing for the Cleveland Guardians, were indicted on Sunday on multiple charges relating to a sports betting scandal. The indictment includes allegations of bribery and conspiracy to defraud the public.
Clase, 27, and Ortiz, 26, allegedly accepted bribes to give sports bettors advance notice of pitch types and to intentionally make pitches that would not be strikes, facilitating successful bets. They have remained on paid leave since July while Major League Baseball (MLB) investigated unusual betting patterns during their games.
Both pitchers have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering. The most severe charges could lead to sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Ortiz was taken into custody by the FBI at Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday morning and is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday.
Major League Baseball stated that it alerted federal law enforcement as soon as the investigation commenced and is continuing to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing,” the league confirmed.
The Cleveland Guardians released a statement expressing their awareness of the law enforcement action and affirmed their commitment to cooperate with the ongoing investigations led by both MLB and government authorities.
Legal representatives for Ortiz and Clase could not be immediately reached for comments.
