Feds accuse 2 Cleveland Guardians players of rigging pitches in betting scheme

Federal prosecutors have charged two Cleveland Guardians pitchers with allegedly rigging their pitches in a sports betting scheme that “betrayed America’s pastime,” U.S.

Federal prosecutors have charged two Cleveland Guardians pitchers with allegedly rigging their pitches in a sports betting scheme that “betrayed America’s pastime,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said Sunday.

Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz, 27, and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, 26, allegedly worked with co-conspirators to place bets on their performance to rake in roughly $450,000 over two years, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The prosecutor’s office on Sunday released a previously sealed complaint against the two men accusing them of defrauding sports betting platforms.

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

Both men are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.

According to the unsealed complaint, the alleged scheme began with Clase and two unidentified “bettors” in May 2023.