Emmanuel Clase, a prominent player for the Cleveland Guardians, has entered a plea of not guilty concerning accusations of his involvement in a scheme to manipulate bets during Major League Baseball games.
The FBI detained Clase on Thursday upon his return to the U.S. He, along with teammate Luis Ortiz, is alleged to have accepted bribes from gamblers to manipulate the nature of their pitches.
An indictment, which was revealed in Brooklyn on Sunday, details that the athletes reportedly received several thousand dollars to aid two gamblers from the Dominican Republic, their home country, in securing winnings of around $460,000. The wagers were placed on specific pitch speeds and outcomes.
Both players are facing numerous charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. Clase appeared in a Brooklyn court on Thursday afternoon, where his lawyer, Michael Ferrara, submitted a not guilty plea on his behalf.
The 27-year-old was granted release on a $600,000 bond. As part of his bail conditions, he is subject to electronic monitoring, prohibited from gambling, and his travel is restricted to New York City, Long Island, and Ohio. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 2.
Clase returned to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic on Thursday morning, whereupon he was apprehended by FBI agents at JFK Airport in New York.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase leaves a federal courthouse in Brooklyn
The 27-year-old baseball star was arrested by the FBI at JFK airport on Thursday morning
Clase pleaded not guilty to allegations he was part of a scheme to rig bets during MLB games
Ferrara, previously insisted that Clase ‘is innocent of all charges and looks forward to clearing his name in court.’
Ferrara added that the 27-year-old ‘has devoted his life to baseball and doing everything in his power to help his team win.’
Ortiz, meanwhile, was arrested Sunday by the FBI and he pleaded not guilty to the charges during his own arraignment earlier this week. The 26-year-old was released on a $500,000 bond and is due back in court on December 2.
Both Ortiz and Clase have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July, when MLB started investigating what it said was unusually high in-game betting activity when they pitched. Some of the games in question were in April, May and June.
The pitchers ‘betrayed America’s pastime,’ US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr said. ‘Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports.
‘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.’
Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, said in a statement that his client was innocent and ‘has never, and would never, improperly influence a game – not for anyone and not for anything.’
Earlier this week, Major League Baseball and its sportsbook partners announced a new $200 nationwide betting limit on individual pitches while banning those wagers from parlays to disincentivize potential bad actors.
His fellow baseball star Luis Ortiz arrives for his own arraignment in Brooklyn, New York
Ortiz is one of two Cleveland stars accused of rigging bets placed on pitches in MLB games
Police officers pave the way for the Guardians pitcher as he heads into court in Brooklyn
Included in sportsbooks’ menu of prop bets are lines on single pitches. Betters can wager on whether that pitch will be called a ball or a strike and whether it will be above or below a certain velocity on the radar gun.
These bets may also inadvertently incentivize gamblers to conspire with players.
MLB’s announcement came after federal prosecutors claimed to have identified a scheme allegedly involving Ortiz and Clase.
The scheme generated around $450,000 for gamblers, according to prosecutors.
