Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers are facing federal charges for allegedly participating in a scheme to manipulate pitches for online sports betting, according to an indictment unsealed yesterday. Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera was arrested in Boston, and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz also faces charges. BBC News reports that prosecutors allege the scheme involved rigging individual pitches and placing fraudulent bets, generating illicit profits.
According to CBS News, Ortiz’s attorney denies the charges, stating, "Luis Ortiz is innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw. He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game—not for anyone and not for anything."
The indictment charges both players with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said the defendants defrauded Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Guardians, and online betting platforms. MLB has confirmed its investigation is ongoing.
Both players had previously been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave during MLB’s probe into the gambling allegations.
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