What Will Happen Next To Clase And Ortiz?<\/p>\n
Both players have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.<\/p>\n
Ortiz was arrested early on Sunday in Boston, Massachusetts, and will make his initial federal court appearance in the state capital later today (Monday, November 10).<\/p>\n
He will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.<\/p>\n
There were conflicting reports about Clase\u2019s whereabouts on Sunday afternoon, while the statement simply declared: \u201cClase is currently not in US custody.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Emmanuel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clase-file-1200x675.jpg\")
Excerpt from the indictment naming Emmanuel Clase. Image: D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Christopher Raia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge, said: \u201cLuis 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. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe defendants\u2019 alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America\u2019s pastime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Is The Case Against Clase And Ortiz?<\/p>\n
Clase is a three-time MLB All-Star who is in the fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract, while Ortiz\u2019s salary this year was $782,600. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The US Attorney Office\u2019s indictment<\/a> accuses Clase of being involved in the scheme for two years, having first agreed to rig bets in May 2023, while Ortiz is said to have only joined in from June of this year.<\/p>\n There are several pages of charges laid out against Clase, a relief pitcher for Cleveland, who allegedly agreed to make specific types of throw or throws above or below certain speeds when first being called to the mound.<\/p>\n In an MLB game against Minnesota Twins on June 3, 2023, Clase is said to have tipped off a bettor that his first pitch would be a Ball\/HBP and slower than 94.95mph.<\/p>\n The unnamed bettor placed multiple wagers around that scenario and when Clase\u2019s throw did exactly as described, it resulted in payouts totalling $38,000.<\/p>\n Prosecutors allege that Ortiz first became involved in a game at Seattle Mariners on June 15 this year.<\/p>\n The indictment states that Ortiz, a starting pitcher for Cleveland, was paid $5,000 for throwing a specific type of ball and Clase also received $5,000 for arranging the fixed pitch.<\/p>\n There was a similar arrangement for the visit of the St Louis Cardinals on June 27, 2025, which is claimed to have earned the players $7,000 each in kickbacks.<\/p>\n Ahead of the same game it is alleged that Clase withdrew $50,000 in cash from a bank and passed $15,000 to the unnamed bettor who then deposited $15,000 at the same bank branch, money which was used later to fund betting around the game.<\/p>\n The charges are that Clase\u2019s actions netted at least $400,000 for his co-conspirators while Ortiz helped earn $60,000 in illegal wagers. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n If found guilty of all charges they could face up to 65 years in prison.<\/p>\n![\"Luis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ortiz-2-1200x675.jpg\")
\nExcerpt from the indictment naming Luis Ortiz. Image: Ken Blaze, Imagn Images<\/p>\n
![\"Joseph](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Josephh-Nocella-Jr-1200x675.jpg\")
Joseph Nocella Jr, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York<\/p>\n