Guardians Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz Indicted in Alleged Betting Scheme
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted for allegedly rigging bets on Major League Baseball games. The indictment was issued this week by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and made public by the Department of Justice on Sunday.
Details of the Indictment
Emmanuel Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year, is accused of providing bettors with inside information on his pitching strategy. Investigators claim he tipped them off about what pitches he would throw and when, sometimes using a cellphone to communicate during games.
Charges and Potential Penalties
- Wire fraud conspiracy
- Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
- Conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery
- Money laundering conspiracy
If convicted on all counts, both players face up to 65 years in prison.
Current Status
- Luis Ortiz was arrested Sunday in Boston and is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday.
- Emmanuel Clase is currently not in custody in the United States.
Official Response
"MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process." — Major League Baseball statement to ESPN
Author's summary: Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers face serious charges related to an MLB betting scandal that could lead to decades in prison if convicted.