Guardians Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase Indicted For Allegedly Conspiring With Sports Bettors to Rig MLB Games

Sports and betting have been joined together by league wagers matrimony. This union has added another level to consuming sports content that can be exhilarating, fun and at times quite lucrative for enthusiasts. However, this pairing has a darker side; leading to more “scripted” outcomes due to interference by various outside individuals and entities. The latest controversy? Cleveland Guardians Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase have been indicted for allegedly conspiring with sports bettors to rig MLB games.

ESPN Baseball insider, Jeff Passan, reported on the pitchers’ situation and possible consequences. Apparently, both Ortiz and Clase started conspiring with sports bettors in 2023 on specific pitches they would throw during MLB games. Bettors would then use this pertinent information to place prop bets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Nonetheless, Passan confirms,

“BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn on a host of 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.

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which outlined the case against Clase and Ortiz after indicting them on fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges.

The 23-page indictment against Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz lays out the alleged scheme for the pitchers to intentionally throw balls so bettors could wager on pitches to be balls or strikes. It started, prosecutors say, as early as May 2023 with Clase and later included Ortiz.”

Guardians Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase Indicted For Allegedly Conspiring With Sports  Bettors to Rig MLB Games

The official indictment also outlines Major League Baseball’s policy and rules regarding betting and their players. The indictment reveals,

“MLB rules prohibited MLB players from gambling on MLB games in which they were involved. Specifically, MLB Rule 21 provided, in relevant part, that ‘any player… who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible’ to play professional baseball. MLB’s sports betting policy further provided that, ‘Major League Players may not ask others to place bets on their behalf, knowingly benefit financially from, or knowingly assist with bets placed by others.’”

Very interesting. Nevertheless, all should keep in mind that the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud conspiracy count. 20 years’ imprisonment on the honest services wire fraud conspiracy count. Five years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery count. And 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count. As more information comes to light we will be sure to update you.

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