Cleveland Guardians’ pitchers indicted for rigging online bets

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted on charges of rigging online bets, including wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
The two pitchers allegedly agreed to throw specific types and speeds of pitches in exchange for bribes and kickback payments, with unnamed third-party bettors earning over $400,000 on bets involving Clase and Ortiz.
Clase and Ortiz used their cellphones during games to organize the scheme, which is prohibited by MLB rules except under extenuating circumstances.
The pitchers face a potential lifetime ban from baseball if convicted, as well as up to 65 years in prison for their crimes.
The indictment also reveals that Clase and Ortiz provided their co-conspirators with money to fund the bets, further implicating them in the scheme.

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted in Brooklyn on charges that they conspired to illegally rig bets on pitches thrown during games. The two were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, among other things.

According to the indictment:

The defendants 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. In some instances, the defendants received bribes and kickback payments-funneled through third parties-in exchange for rigging pitches.

The scheme involved unnamed third-party bettors who allegedly earned over $400,000 on bets involving Clase and Ortiz. The pitchers, for their part, received kickbacks according to the indictment. In some instances, Clase and Ortiz even provided their coconspirators with money to fund the bets.

To organize the scheme, the two used their cellphones during games, which is prohibited by the MLB except under extenuating circumstances. The two are also facing a potential lifetime ban from the sport for violating the league’s rules against betting on their own games.

However, if convicted, it’s unlikely they’d be released from prison while still young enough to compete anyway. Clase and Ortiz are facing a possible sentence of up to 65 years.

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Q. What are Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz facing charges for?

A. They were indicted for conspiring to illegally rig bets on pitches thrown during games.

Q. What specific charges did Clase and Ortiz face according to the indictment?

A. They faced wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, among other things.

Q. How much did unnamed third-party bettors allegedly earn on bets involving Clase and Ortiz?

A. They earned over $400,000 on bets involving Clase and Ortiz.

Q. What was the purpose of using cellphones during games for Clase and Ortiz?

A. To organize the scheme by providing inside information to their co-conspirators about specific types and speeds of pitches.

Q. Why is it prohibited for pitchers to use their cellphones during games?

A. It’s prohibited because MLB rules against betting on one’s own games, and using cellphones during games could be seen as a way to communicate with bettors.

Q. What are the potential consequences for Clase and Ortiz if convicted?

A. They face a possible sentence of up to 65 years in prison.

Q. Are there any other penalties that Clase and Ortiz might face besides prison time?

A. Yes, they also face a potential lifetime ban from the sport due to violating MLB’s rules against betting on their own games.

Q. How old are Clase and Ortiz if convicted?

A. It is not specified in the text how old they would be if convicted, but it implies that they are young enough to still compete.

Q. What did Clase and Ortiz receive in exchange for rigging pitches?

A. They received bribes and kickback payments, which were funneled through third parties.

Q. How did the scheme involving Clase and Ortiz work?

A. The two pitchers agreed with their co-conspirators to throw specific types and speeds of pitches, who then used that inside information to place wagers on those pitches.