Attorneys for Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz need to sever the instances in opposition to him and teammate Emmanuel Clase as federal prosecutors allege they had been each concerned in a pitching-rigging scheme.
Ortiz’s lawyer, Christos N. Georgalis, requested for a federal choose to interrupt up the instances so they may transfer ahead independently of one another whereas labelling his consumer “a sufferer of Clase’s scheme, slightly than a figuring out and keen participant,” in line with a authorized submitting unsealed Monday and considered by The Athletic.
Georgalis pointed to the purported distinction of their respective involvement within the alleged pitch-rigging scheme to help his argument.
The submitting additionally cites the potential for a battle of curiosity as grounds for severing the case into two, mentioning that Clase’s attorneys spoke with witnesses who claimed the betting scheme didn’t exist. Now, a type of individuals is predicted to testify otherwise.
There may be additionally the likelihood that Ortiz’s lawyer may function a “second prosecutor” and name Clase’s lawyer to the stand — which might solely happen if the instances had been cut up — with a view to defend Ortiz, The Athletic reported.
Federal prosecutors unsealed a 23-page indictment alleging that Clase rigged pitches relationship again to Could 2023 by throwing them for balls to assist bettors’ prop bets hit.
Ortiz is alleged to have joined in June 2025. Each gamers allegedly obtained kickbacks.
Prosecutors allege that bettors netted winnings of $460,000.
The 2 pitchers face fees of wire fraud conspiracy, trustworthy providers wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to affect sporting contests by bribery and cash laundering conspiracy.
The unique indictment alleged Clase made 4 suspicious pitches, however prosecutors have been open to the thought that there have been extra. Ortiz was accused of rigging two pitches.
The current submitting indicated that Georgalis would use as one of many “doubtless defenses” that Clase gave out Ortiz’s pitching technique to gamblers with out the pitcher’s information.
Clase and Ortiz stay on go away from MLB and won’t be allowed to attend Guardians spring coaching.
