Luis Ortiz’s attorney fires back after ‘weak’ gambling charges

After Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase were indicted in relation to a scheme to fix bets on pitches thrown during games, Ortiz was arrested Sunday and his attorney said his client was innocent of the charges.

According to the indictment, the two pitchers “agreed in advance with their co-conspirators on specific pitches that they would throw in MLB games,” and the co-conspirators “then used that information to place hundreds of fraudulent bets on those pitches.”  

Ortiz’s attorney responded in a statement saying Ortiz “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game- not for anyone and not for anything.”

Prosecutors charged that Clase began rigging pitches with a bettor as far back as May 2023, planning to throw particular pitchers for balls in order for the bettor to win prop bets and Ortiz joined the scheme this past June, with the pitchers being given kickbacks from the winnings because of their participation.

Both pitchers could face decades in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, as well as five years for conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.

Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, called Ortiz “a fierce competitor.”

Also in the statement: “As Luis’ defense team extensively explained and documented to the government before these charges were brought, Luis’ payments and other transfers of money between him and individuals in the Dominican Republic were for lawful activities.”

Additionally, the statement said, “There is no credible evidence Luis knowingly did anything other than to try to win games with every pitch and every inning. Luis looks forward to fighting these charges in court. The government’s case is weak and circumstantial.”

Ortiz and Clase were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave in early July.

The leaves were extended “until further notice” in August.

– With AP