Two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians have been accused of taking bribes to rig pitches they threw at Major League Baseball games.
The pitchers, Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, have been charged in connection to the sports betting and money laundering scheme, federal prosecutors and the FBI announced on Sunday.
Prosecutors allege that the scheme drew hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal wagers.
"The defendants' alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America's pastime," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia said in a statement. The two players have denied any wrongdoing.
The indictment alleges that Mr Ortiz and Mr Clase co-ordinated in advance with co-conspirators, allowing the co-conspirators and sometimes themselves, to place hundreds of fraudulent bets at online sportsbooks.
