New York.– Federal authorities and Major League Baseball are investigating Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden and special assistant Jose Rijo for their possible roles in a growing financial scandal involving the signing of players from the Dominican Republic, several sources familiar with the probe told the press.

Anyone implicated could face felony fraud charges, sources familiar with the investigation said. Numerous MLB employees in the United States and the Dominican Republic are under suspicion in the probe, which allegedly involves the skimming of signing money allocated for Dominican prospects.

Bowden, a 23-year veteran of MLB front offices and a general manager on and off since 1992, is the highest-ranking official known to be under investigation.

Reached in his office Friday evening, Bowden said he and other Nationals officials have spoken to both the FBI and MLB's investigators, as have officials from other clubs. But he said neither the FBI nor Major League Baseball have told him he is suspected of taking part in the scheme or in any way suspected of wrongdoing.

Bowden said he was never asked about his own activities, and denied having any role in the scandal. "No, I've certainly not gotten that approach from baseball or the FBI," he said. "

There's obviously no truth to that. As far as the rest of this goes, they're probably better questions for the FBI or baseball." Bowden would not say what he discussed with investigators.

"We completely support trying to clean up the problems that have taken place, but there's no truth to any involvement regarding anyone here," Bowden said.