Major news coming out of Major League Baseball on Sunday, as it was announced by ESPN’s Jeff Passan that Cleveland Guardians’ pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors on several federal charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. Ortiz was arrested in Boston earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody.
Here is the link to the full press release by the United States Attorney’s Office in New York City.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the indictment and arrest:
âLuis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz allegedly rigged their pitches in professional baseball games, so that an inner circle, and occasionally themselves, could quietly cash out their winnings,â stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. âThe defendants’ alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America’s pastime. The FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out.”
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Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are Facing Jail Time
Jeff Passan also reports that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which indicates Clase and Ortiz are being indicted on fraud, conspiracy, and bribery charges.
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The prosecutors allege that Luis Ortiz was paid a large lump sum of cash ($5,000) for throwing an intentional ball on June 15, and Emmanuel Clase was given $5,000 for facilitating it. The indictment shows that both pitchers did it again on June 27, and the pay had been increased to $7,000. Co-conspirators who facilitated both players to intentionally throw balls reportedly won $400K on Emmanuel Clase and $60K on Ortiz.
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MLB also stated its part in the case in a message to ESPN:
âMLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process. We are aware of the indictment and todayâs arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”
Both Players Were Put on Administrative Leave
Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary administrative paid leave in July, and Emmanuel Clase followed later that month. After a month had passed, the pitchers had their absence extended until the league had concluded its investigation.
Well, the investigation is now over, and both Clase and Ortiz will head to federal court. According to the indictment, Clase had been throwing intentional balls as a part of a larger betting scheme for nearly two years.
While MLB has not released whether either player will receive a suspension or ban, one can assume that both players will never return to MLB.
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