Executive Summary
- Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase was arrested by the FBI at JFK Airport in connection with a federal sports betting indictment.
- The indictment alleges Clase provided information on his pitches to bettors, who won at least $400,000. Teammate Luis Ortiz faces similar charges.
- Clase pleaded not guilty and was released on a $600,000 bond with conditions that include GPS monitoring and travel restrictions.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase was arrested by FBI agents on Thursday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The arrest is in connection with a federal indictment alleging his involvement in a sports betting scheme to rig pitches.
According to the Department of Justice, Mr. Clase, 27, was taken into custody upon his arrival from the Dominican Republic. Court documents allege that Clase provided information to co-conspirators about the types of pitches he planned to throw in games, which allegedly enabled bettors to win at least $400,000. His teammate, pitcher Luis Ortiz, was also indicted on similar charges and arrested in Boston on Sunday.
“The defendants’ alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America’s pastime,” said Christopher G. Raia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge, in a statement. “The FBI will ensure any individual who exploits their position as a professional athlete at the expense of others strikes out.”
Following his arrest, Mr. Clase appeared before a judge where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on a $600,000 bond with several conditions, including the surrender of his passport, travel restrictions between New York and Ohio, a prohibition on gambling, and submission to GPS monitoring. An attempt by his attorney, Michael Ferrara, to have the location monitoring requirement waived was unsuccessful.
A subsequent hearing in the case is scheduled for next month. If convicted, the pitchers could face decades in prison. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.