In brief
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians were indicted for wire fraud, conspiracy to influence sports contests, and money laundering, following accusations of taking bribes to provide advance notice of pitch types to sports bettors, leading to manipulated game outcomes.
NEW YORK (AP) — Two Major League Baseball pitchers were indicted Sunday on charges they took bribes to give sports bettors advance notice of the types of pitches they’d throw and intentionally tossed balls instead of strikes to ensure successful bets.Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, both of whom pitched for the Cleveland Guardians, have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while Major League Baseball investigated unusually high in-game betting activity when they pitched.Clase, 27, and Ortiz, 26, have been charged with multiple offenses including wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. If convicted, they face significant prison time, with the top charges carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years.Ortiz was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday morning and is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on Monday. Meanwhile, Major League Baseball has stated it is cooperating fully with federal authorities as investigations continue.The Guardians organization also expressed its awareness of the situation and is committed to cooperating with MLB and law enforcement during this investigation. Both players' representatives have yet to provide comments regarding the allegations.
