Cleveland Cavaliers pitchers Emanuel Klaas and Luis Ortiz were indicted in Brooklyn on charges that they conspired to illegally throw a foul on pitches thrown during games. The two were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to influence sports events through bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, among other things.
According to the indictment:
Defendants agreed with their co-producers to throw specific types and speeds of pitches in advance, and their co-producers used inside information to place wagers on those pitches. In some instances, the bribes and kickback payments to the defendants originated through the exchange of fraudulent pitches by third parties.
The scheme involved unidentified third-party bettors who allegedly made more than $400,000 on bets related to Claes and Ortiz. The pitchers, for their part, received kickbacks, according to the indictment. In some instances, Klaas and Ortiz also provided money to their coconspirators to fund the bets.
To orchestrate the scheme, both used their cell phones during games, which is prohibited by MLB except in exigent circumstances. Both also face possible lifetime bans from the game for violating the league’s rules against betting in their games.
However, if convicted, it is unlikely that he will be released from prison while he is still young enough to stand trial. Klaas and Ortiz face a possible sentence of up to 65 years.
