Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were accused in Brooklyn on charges that they conspired illegally rigged bets on the fields thrown during games. The two were charged with, among other charges, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to influence athletic competition through bribery and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to the indictment:
The defendants agreed in advance with their co-conspirators that they would throw certain types and speeds of pitches, and their co-conspirators used this inside information to place bets on those pitches. In some cases, defendants received bribes and kickbacks, passed through third parties, in exchange for rigging sites.
The scheme involved unnamed third-party players who allegedly made more than $400,000 from bets involving Claise and Ortiz. The pitchers, for their part, received kickbacks, according to the indictment. In some cases, Claeys and Ortiz even provided their associates with money to finance bets.
To orchestrate this scheme, they used their cell phones during games, which is prohibited by MLB except in extenuating circumstances. The two also face a lifetime ban from the sport for violating league rules prohibiting betting on their own games.
However, if they are found guilty, it is unlikely that they will be released from prison while they are still young enough to compete. Claz and Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison.
