WASHINGTON (AFP) - Federal authorities are investigating Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden and special assistant Jose Rijo for possible roles regarding Major League Baseball signings of players from the Dominican Republic, US television sports network ESPN reported Saturday.

On its website, ESPN said investigators from Major League Baseball as well as the FBI were looking into possible skimming of money from signing bonus money from Dominican prospects that could spark felony charges.

Bowden denied any role in the scandal but said he and other club officials have spoken to investigators as have those from other clubs.

The Nationals have the worst record in Major League Baseball and are struggling to fill seats in their new stadium.

Sources told ESPN that Bowden and Rijo, whose father-in-law is former Dominican sport minister and Major League Baseball star pitcher Juan Marichal, were named by sources as being suspects.