Topline: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase face federal fraud charges for allegedly fixing pitches.
Published: November 18, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Must Read
Left: Emmanuel Clase, Right: Luis L. Ortiz. (via Getty)
BOSTON, MA — Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase have been indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges after allegedly rigging pitches in Major League Baseball games.
The indictment, unsealed by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, charged the pitchers with three felony counts tied to an alleged pitch-fixing scheme, according to ESPN.
Ortiz, 26, was arrested Nov. 2 in Boston and appeared in federal court on Nov. 10. He faces multiple felony counts, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.
Released on a $500,000 bond, with $50,000 secured, Ortiz was ordered to surrender his passport. His travel is restricted to the Northeast United States under the bail conditions set at the hearing.
Clase, 27, is not yet in custody, according to federal prosecutors. His location and next steps remain under review as authorities continue their investigation into the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors say Clase began working with a gambler as early as May 2023, throwing specific pitches that allowed the gambler to place proposition bets and profit. Prop bets are wagers on individual events within a game, such as the type or location of a pitch, rather than the final score.
Ortiz allegedly joined the operation in June 2025. Prosecutors claim gamblers won at least $450,000 betting on the pitchers’ actions and that both players were paid for their participation.
The charges carry significant penalties. Ortiz and Clase face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy and another 20 years for honest services wire fraud conspiracy. Money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum of 20 years, while conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery carries up to five years.
Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, condemned the alleged scheme. “Clase and Ortiz deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services,” Nocella said in a statement to ESPN. “They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime.”
Nocella added that corruption in sports undermines public trust. “Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports,” he said. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants, but damages the public trust in an institution that is dear to all of us.”
Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, denied the allegations in a statement to People. “He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game — not for anyone and not for anything,” Georgalis said. He added that Ortiz looks forward to defending himself in court, calling the government’s case “weak and circumstantial.”
Major League Baseball said it has cooperated fully with law enforcement. “We contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of our investigation and have fully cooperated throughout the process,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.
The Guardians also issued a statement, saying: “We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.”
Clase and Ortiz were placed on paid leave by MLB in July after private betting investigators flagged unusual wagers tied to Ortiz’s pitches. They remain on leave “until further notice.”
The federal investigation is ongoing and will determine the scope of the alleged gambling ring, including the players’ involvement and the network of gamblers who profited.
Prosecutors say the scheme turned competitive play into scripted outcomes, giving gamblers an edge over online betting platforms. The $450,000 figure represents the minimum amount won; the total amount allegedly paid to the players has not been disclosed.
The scandal has renewed scrutiny of the relationship between professional sports and legalized gambling. Baseball officials are monitoring the case as the league’s disciplinary process continues. The players’ futures in MLB now hinge on the resolution of the federal charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Feds: Guardians Pitchers Fixed Pitches in MLB Games to Help Gamblers Win $450K
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase face federal fraud charges for allegedly fixing pitches.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 18, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Left: Emmanuel Clase, Right: Luis L. Ortiz. (via Getty)
BOSTON, MA — Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase have been indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges after allegedly rigging pitches in Major League Baseball games.
The indictment, unsealed by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, charged the pitchers with three felony counts tied to an alleged pitch-fixing scheme, according to ESPN.
Ortiz, 26, was arrested Nov. 2 in Boston and appeared in federal court on Nov. 10. He faces multiple felony counts, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.
Released on a $500,000 bond, with $50,000 secured, Ortiz was ordered to surrender his passport. His travel is restricted to the Northeast United States under the bail conditions set at the hearing.
Clase, 27, is not yet in custody, according to federal prosecutors. His location and next steps remain under review as authorities continue their investigation into the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors say Clase began working with a gambler as early as May 2023, throwing specific pitches that allowed the gambler to place proposition bets and profit. Prop bets are wagers on individual events within a game, such as the type or location of a pitch, rather than the final score.
Ortiz allegedly joined the operation in June 2025. Prosecutors claim gamblers won at least $450,000 betting on the pitchers’ actions and that both players were paid for their participation.
The charges carry significant penalties. Ortiz and Clase face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy and another 20 years for honest services wire fraud conspiracy. Money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum of 20 years, while conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery carries up to five years.
Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, condemned the alleged scheme. “Clase and Ortiz deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services,” Nocella said in a statement to ESPN. “They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime.”
Nocella added that corruption in sports undermines public trust. “Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports,” he said. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants, but damages the public trust in an institution that is dear to all of us.”
Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, denied the allegations in a statement to People. “He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game — not for anyone and not for anything,” Georgalis said. He added that Ortiz looks forward to defending himself in court, calling the government’s case “weak and circumstantial.”
Major League Baseball said it has cooperated fully with law enforcement. “We contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of our investigation and have fully cooperated throughout the process,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.
The Guardians also issued a statement, saying: “We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.”
Clase and Ortiz were placed on paid leave by MLB in July after private betting investigators flagged unusual wagers tied to Ortiz’s pitches. They remain on leave “until further notice.”
The federal investigation is ongoing and will determine the scope of the alleged gambling ring, including the players’ involvement and the network of gamblers who profited.
Prosecutors say the scheme turned competitive play into scripted outcomes, giving gamblers an edge over online betting platforms. The $450,000 figure represents the minimum amount won; the total amount allegedly paid to the players has not been disclosed.
The scandal has renewed scrutiny of the relationship between professional sports and legalized gambling. Baseball officials are monitoring the case as the league’s disciplinary process continues. The players’ futures in MLB now hinge on the resolution of the federal charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Feds: Guardians Pitchers Fixed Pitches in MLB Games to Help Gamblers Win $450K
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase face federal fraud charges for allegedly fixing pitches.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 18, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Left: Emmanuel Clase, Right: Luis L. Ortiz. (via Getty)
BOSTON, MA — Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase have been indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges after allegedly rigging pitches in Major League Baseball games.
The indictment, unsealed by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, charged the pitchers with three felony counts tied to an alleged pitch-fixing scheme, according to ESPN.
Ortiz, 26, was arrested Nov. 2 in Boston and appeared in federal court on Nov. 10. He faces multiple felony counts, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.
Released on a $500,000 bond, with $50,000 secured, Ortiz was ordered to surrender his passport. His travel is restricted to the Northeast United States under the bail conditions set at the hearing.
Clase, 27, is not yet in custody, according to federal prosecutors. His location and next steps remain under review as authorities continue their investigation into the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors say Clase began working with a gambler as early as May 2023, throwing specific pitches that allowed the gambler to place proposition bets and profit. Prop bets are wagers on individual events within a game, such as the type or location of a pitch, rather than the final score.
Ortiz allegedly joined the operation in June 2025. Prosecutors claim gamblers won at least $450,000 betting on the pitchers’ actions and that both players were paid for their participation.
The charges carry significant penalties. Ortiz and Clase face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy and another 20 years for honest services wire fraud conspiracy. Money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum of 20 years, while conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery carries up to five years.
Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, condemned the alleged scheme. “Clase and Ortiz deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services,” Nocella said in a statement to ESPN. “They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime.”
Nocella added that corruption in sports undermines public trust. “Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports,” he said. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants, but damages the public trust in an institution that is dear to all of us.”
Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, denied the allegations in a statement to People. “He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game — not for anyone and not for anything,” Georgalis said. He added that Ortiz looks forward to defending himself in court, calling the government’s case “weak and circumstantial.”
Major League Baseball said it has cooperated fully with law enforcement. “We contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of our investigation and have fully cooperated throughout the process,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.
The Guardians also issued a statement, saying: “We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.”
Clase and Ortiz were placed on paid leave by MLB in July after private betting investigators flagged unusual wagers tied to Ortiz’s pitches. They remain on leave “until further notice.”
The federal investigation is ongoing and will determine the scope of the alleged gambling ring, including the players’ involvement and the network of gamblers who profited.
Prosecutors say the scheme turned competitive play into scripted outcomes, giving gamblers an edge over online betting platforms. The $450,000 figure represents the minimum amount won; the total amount allegedly paid to the players has not been disclosed.
The scandal has renewed scrutiny of the relationship between professional sports and legalized gambling. Baseball officials are monitoring the case as the league’s disciplinary process continues. The players’ futures in MLB now hinge on the resolution of the federal charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
