Two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, have been charged in connection with a sprawling sports betting and money laundering scheme, as announced by federal prosecutors and the FBI on Sunday. The indictment alleges that the players accepted bribes to manipulate pitches during Major League Baseball (MLB) games, enabling illegal wagers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to authorities, the scheme not only provided an unfair advantage to certain bettors but also tarnished the integrity of America’s beloved pastime. Both players have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors claim that Clase and Ortiz coordinated with co-conspirators to place fraudulent bets on online sportsbooks, receiving kickbacks in exchange for insider information. For instance, before a game on June 27, 2025, Ortiz allegedly received $7,000 to throw a rigged pitch, while Clase arranged the scheme for the same amount. Clase is also accused of withdrawing $50,000 in cash, with $15,000 allegedly used by a co-conspirator to bet on the pitch. The rigged pitches reportedly helped co-conspirators win $60,000 and $400,000, respectively. US Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., emphasized the broader implications of the scandal, stating that such corruption undermines public trust in sports. Ortiz was arrested in Boston, while Clase remains at large. Both players were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave during an MLB investigation into sports gambling. They face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. The Cleveland Guardians have pledged full cooperation with law enforcement and the league. Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, maintains his client’s innocence, asserting that Ortiz never influenced a game improperly. Clase’s representative, Kelvin Nova, has also denied the allegations, stating that Clase does not engage in betting. This case follows recent FBI arrests in similar schemes involving an NBA player, a coach, and members of New York crime families.