Jury seated in pitch-rigging trial of Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
A jury has been selected for the pitch-rigging trial involving Cleveland Guardians players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, according to The Athletic. During the selection process, prospective jurors were questioned about their sports betting habits, and several acknowledged that they participate in betting. More than 100 prospective jurors were excused before the final panel was seated.
More than 100 jurors were excused.
Why it matters
For brands: Team sponsors and partners of the Guardians may face reputational scrutiny as the trial proceeds in a public forum.
For media: The trial's jury-selection phase, including jurors' self-disclosed betting habits, sets the stage for a high-profile sports-integrity proceeding that will draw sustained coverage.
For athletes: Professional baseball players face criminal exposure over alleged on-field conduct tied to sports betting, signaling that pitch-rigging allegations can result in federal or state prosecution.
Read the full story at The Athletic
Sources
- The Athletic: Jury selected in pitch-rigging trial of Guardians' Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
- The Athletic: MLB pitch-rigging trial: Attorneys for Guardians' Clase, Ortiz say they were exploited