"Prosecutors allege claim that Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing an intentional ball during a game on 15 June. His teammate Clase, a three-time All-Star, is alleged to have been given $5,000 for facilitating the rigged pitch. Prosecutors claim the pair did so again in a game on 27 June, receiving $7,000 each. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday, while Clase has not yet been taken into custody."
"The pair face up to 65 years in prison if found guilty of the allegations, which include charges of fraud, conspiracy and bribery. Ortiz earned $782,600 in salary last season while Clase, one of the league's best closers, was paid $4.5m. They have been on paid leave since July while MLB investigated unusual betting activity during games in which they pitched."
"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, the Guardians said in a statement. The news comes after Chauncey Billups, a Hall of Fame NBA player, was arrested in connection with a poker operation linked to the mafia, while Miami Heat star Terry Rozier was accused of taking part in a scheme to manipulate games."
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have been indicted over an alleged scheme to rig pitches by throwing intentional balls and facilitating those pitches. Prosecutors allege Ortiz received $5,000 for an intentional ball on 15 June and $7,000 for a similar action on 27 June, with Clase paid $5,000 and $7,000 respectively for facilitating. Ortiz was arrested in Boston while Clase has not been taken into custody. MLB contacted federal law enforcement and has cooperated; the league says its investigation is ongoing. The defendants face fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges and up to 65 years in prison if convicted. Both players have been on paid leave since July, and the case follows other recent gambling-related arrests and accusations involving high-profile athletes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]