MLB players charged with taking bribes to rig pitches in latest US sports betting scandal
Updated . First published at
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been charged with taking bribes from sports bettors to intentionally throw certain types of pitches, including tossing balls instead of strikes to ensure successful bets.
According to an indictment unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, Clase and Ortiz helped bettors from their native Dominican Republic win in-game prop bets on pitch speed and outcome by throwing certain pitches slower and down in the dirt.
Both pitchers have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while Major League Baseball investigated what it said was unusually high in-game betting activity.
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Ortiz, 26, was arrested by the FBI at Boston Logan International Airport. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on Tuesday (AEDT).
Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians Getty
Clase, 27, is not yet in custody, authorities said.
A lawyer for Ortiz declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press and a lawyer for Clase did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Clase and Ortiz are both charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy. The top charges carry a potential punishment of up to 20 years in prison.
The charges against Clase and Ortiz are the latest bombshell developments in a federal crackdown on betting in professional sports.
Last month, more than 30 people, including prominent basketball figures such as Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in a gambling sweep that rocked the NBA.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncy Billups. Getty
MLB officials contacted federal law enforcement when it began investigating the unusual betting activity and “has fully cooperated” with authorities.
“We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing,” its statement said.
In a statement, the Guardians said: “We are aware of the recent law enforcement action, We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.”
