Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were charged in Brooklyn with claims that they conspired to unlawfully manipulate bets on pitches made during games. The pair faces accusations of wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to affect sporting events via bribery, and conspiracy of money laundering, among other charges.
Per the indictment:
The accused reached agreements beforehand with their accomplices to throw designated pitch types and velocities, and their collaborators exploited that insider knowledge to place bets on those pitches. In certain cases, the accused accepted bribes and kickbacks—funneled via intermediaries—in return for fixing pitches.
The plot involved unnamed third-party bettors purportedly making over $400,000 on wagers involving Clase and Ortiz. The pitchers, as per the indictment, received kickbacks. In some cases, Clase and Ortiz even supplied their co-conspirators with funds to support the bets.
To orchestrate the operation, the two utilized their mobile phones during games, which MLB prohibits except under exceptional circumstances. With their actions, they are also potentially facing a lifetime ban from the sport for infringing league regulations against betting on their games.
However, if found guilty, it’s improbable they would be released from incarceration young enough to play again. Clase and Ortiz are facing sentences of up to 65 years.
