Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face serious allegations related to match-fixing during Major League Baseball (MLB) games, as outlined in a detailed indictment unsealed in Brooklyn. The pair has been on paid leave since July and are charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, potentially leading to a combined maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Ortiz was arrested recently in Boston, while Clase remains outside the U.S. The investigation suggests that Clase began match-fixing around May 2023, with Ortiz joining in June. The scheme involved predetermined pitch outcomes for a sum exceeding $400,000 for Clase and about $60,000 for Ortiz, with significant sums reportedly exchanged for specific pitch types.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocera highlighted the betrayal of trust in professional sports, while both players have vocally maintained their innocence. Their legal representatives assert that any monetary transactions were legitimate and not linked to gambling activities. The MLB has been cooperating with law enforcement throughout the investigation, with rules in place to prohibit gambling among players. The Guardians organization is also committed to cooperating fully as the legal proceedings unfold.
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