Guardians Pitchers Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz Charged in Sports Betting and Money Laundering Conspiracy

• Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are being charged for alleged roles in a sports betting and money laundering conspiracy
• Clase and Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary leave by MLB this summer and never returned to Guardians roster
• Clase and Ortiz have been charged with numerous counts relating to wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to influence sports contests by bribery

---

The U.S. Department of Justice today announced Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been charged in a sports betting and money laundering conspiracy, as the pitchers allegedly rigged pitches during the MLB season and shared information with corrupt sports bettors.

Clase and Ortiz were both placed on non-disciplinary leave by MLB this summer as an investigation by the league took place. Ortiz was arrested earlier today in Boston, MA, and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Nov. 10. Clase is currently not in U.S. custody, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Both pitchers are being charged with counts relating to wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to influence sports contests by bribery for allegedly agreeing to in advance with co-conspirators on specific pitches they would throw in MLB games.

Hundreds of Fraudulent Bets Placed

Clase, a star reliever for the Guardians, was placed on non-disciplinary leave in July per an agreement with the Players Association and never returned to the Guardians this season. Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave on July 3 and also never returned to the team.

According to the indictment for both players, Clase and Ortiz allegedly agreed in advance with their co-conspirators on specific pitches they would throw in MLB games. The co-conspirators used this information to place hundreds of fraudulent bets on those pitches.

“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,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella in a press release. “As alleged, the defendants sold that trust to gamblers by fixing pitches. In doing so, the defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services. They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime.”

Beginning around May 2023, Clase allegedly agreed with corrupt sports bettors to rig prop bets on particular pitches he threw. Co-conspirators wagered on speed and type of Clase’s pitches, based on what information the pitcher told them prior to a game. He would often throw the rigged pitches on the first pitch of an at-bat.

To ensure pitches were called balls, Clase often threw them into the dirt. Co-conspirators bet and won thousands of dollars at online sportsbooks with this information.

Clase allegedly received bribes and kickbacks from bettors in exchange for the information. In total, Clase won his co-conspirators at least $400,000 in fraudulent winnings.

In or around June 2025, Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme. Bettors agreed to pay him a $7,000 bribe for throwing a rigged pitch and also paid Clase $7,000 for arranging the rigged pitch. Before a game on June 27, 2025, Clase withdrew $50,000 and provided $15,000 to a co-conspirator who used money to bet on Ortiz’s rigged pitch.

In total, by rigging pitches, Ortiz won his co-conspirators at least $60,000.

“Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. 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,” Nocella said.

Ortiz, Clase Face Several Criminal Counts

According to the indictment, Clase and Ortiz face four criminal counts for their actions. They face the following counts:

• Wire fraud conspiracy
• Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
• Conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery
• Money laundering conspiracy

If convicted, according to the Department of Justice each defendant faces 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.

“Luis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz allegedly rigged their pitches in professional baseball games, so that an inner circle, and occasionally themselves, could quietly cash out their winnings,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The defendants’ alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America’s pastime. The FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out.”