Cleveland Guardians Players Accused of Rigging Pitches in Sports Betting Scandal

Major League Baseball players Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera face a series of charges in a sports betting scandal.

Both Cleveland Guardians athletes are accused of rigging their own pitches in MLB games so their inner circle—and sometimes themselves—could win bets on the rigged games, according to a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York on Nov. 9.

“The defendants’ alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America’s pastime,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia said. “The FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out.”

The newly unsealed indictment charges Clase and Ortiz with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.

“Professional athletes, like Luis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz hold a position of trust—not only with their teammates and their professional leagues, but with fans who believe in fair play,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said.

Nocella added, “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us. Today’s charges make clear that our Office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who corrupt sports through illegal means.”

Prosecutors claimed Clase, a relief pitcher, first got involved with bettors in May 2023 and would provide them inside information about the speed and type of pitches that he would throw.

In return, Clase reportedly received bribes, kickbacks, and allegedly put his own money into the scheme.

The scandal helped Clase and co-conspirators to pocket at least $400,000 in fraudulent wagers, the Justice Department alleged.

Ortiz, a starting pitcher, allegedly got involved around June 2025, prosecutors claimed.

Both pitchers were put on non-disciplinary paid leave in July as Major League Baseball noticed that in-game betting activity would surge when they pitched.

Ortiz was arrested on Sunday at Boston Logan International Airport. He will make his first appearance in court on Nov. 10.

Clase is currently not in U.S. custody.

If convicted, both men face 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, the Justice Department said.

The Epoch Times reached out to Clase’s team, Major League Baseball, and the Cleveland Guardians for comment.

A lawyer for Ortiz declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.