JUST IN: Two MLB Pitchers Indicted in Sports Betting and Money Laundering Conspiracy
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers have been federally indicted in for conspiring with with sports bettors by rigging pitches to win bets, for which they received kickbacks in some instances.
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz “agreed in advance with their co-conspirators to throw specific types and speeds of pitches, and their co-conspirators used that inside information to place wagers on those pitches,” according to the indictment, which was filed on Wednesday.
“Hundreds of fraudulent bets” were placed on their pitches.
The bets were based on guessing pitches, including the speed and whether it would be called a ball or strike.
“With CLASE’s knowledge and approval, Bettor-I, Bettor-2, and other Bettors used this information to place over a hundred fraudulent Pitch Speed and Ball/HBP straight bets and parlays on CLASE’s pitches on the Betting Platforms,” the indictment alleges.
The New York Post reports that Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday. Clase has not yet been arrested.
Both pitchers were placed on leave by the by the Major League Baseball in July amid a league investigation.
Per New York Post:
Clase, the Guardians’ All-Star closer, agreed to begin rigging prop bets around May 2023, and “at times received bribes and kickbacks.”
Ortiz joined the scheme in June of this year, per the indictment.
They are facing charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy.
More from Pablo Torres on X:
BREAKING: The Department of Justice has charged two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, in sports betting and money laundering conspiracy. pic.twitter.com/c5narUTgKr
— Pablo Torre (@PabloTorre) November 9, 2025
At one point, per the indictment, Clase tried to throw a ball but the batter swung — resulting in a strike.
“Bettor-I” allegedly texted Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself with toilet paper. Clase replied with a GIF of a “sad puppy dog face.” (The Guardians won the game.) pic.twitter.com/BN1wLkGVKK
— Pablo Torre (@PabloTorre) November 9, 2025
This comes after the arrest of more than 30 people across 11 states, including Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, as part of a takedown of a massive sports gambling ring, which included a poker scheme and “sports rigging.”
This FBI announced their investigation into the extensive gambling and sports betting ring tied to NBA stars and the La Cosa Nostra Italian Mafia last month.
The operation involved rigged games, allegedly using altered shuffling machines, X-ray tables to read cards face down, wireless devices, pre-marked cards, and chip tray analyzers.
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