In a stunning turn of events that has rocked the baseball world, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stands accused of a ‘massive theft’ of the Dodgers superstar’s funds. The alleged embezzlement was purportedly used to place bets with an illegal bookmaker under federal scrutiny. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the sports community, raising questions about trust, integrity, and the vulnerability of athletes to financial exploitation.
The Los Angeles Times first broke the news, uncovering that Ohtani’s name had surfaced in a federal investigation of Orange County resident Mathew Bowyer. Ohtani’s legal team, upon learning of The Times’ inquiries, delved into Mizuhara’s actions and uncovered the alleged financial misconduct. The West Hollywood law firm Berk Brettler stated, ‘In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities.’
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the substantial sums involved, with reports indicating that millions of dollars were siphoned from Ohtani’s accounts. Attempts to contact Mizuhara have been fruitless, and his betting activities with Bowyer have been brought to light by anonymous sources privy to the sensitive details.
Ohtani, who recently inked a historic 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers, is currently abroad with the team, unable to provide comments. Major League Baseball, meanwhile, has not been approached by prosecutors regarding the case, and Bowyer’s attorney, Diane Bass, has firmly stated that her client has never had any contact with Ohtani.
The MLB’s stringent gambling policy prohibits betting on the sport or engaging in illegal betting on other events, leaving the potential consequences of such actions to the discretion of the Commissioner. The investigation into Bowyer is part of a broader probe into an illegal sports gambling scheme in Orange County, which has already seen charges against several individuals, including former Dodger Yasiel Puig.
Mizuhara’s association with Ohtani dates back to their time in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, and their close relationship has been well-documented throughout Ohtani’s MLB career. The interpreter’s role extended beyond professional duties, encompassing personal support during Ohtani’s injury recovery and other aspects of daily life.
The allegations against Mizuhara have led to his termination by the Dodgers, with the team confirming his dismissal but refraining from further comment. ESPN’s Tisha Thompson reported that at least $4.5 million were transferred from Ohtani’s bank accounts to the bookmaking operation, a claim initially corroborated by a spokesman for Ohtani but later retracted. As the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles continues its investigation without comment, the sports world awaits further developments in this case that has tainted one of baseball’s most iconic friendships and left a shadow over the start of the MLB season.
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Shohei Ohtani’s attorneys accuse interpreter of ‘massive theft’ tied to alleged gambling
Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter accused of stealing millions for illegal gambling: LA Times
Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara fired by Dodgers amid allegations of ‘massive theft’
