Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is reportedly expected to plead guilty to fraud charges for allegedly stealing money from the MLB star to pay off gambling debts.
Otani said he was unaware of Mizuhara’s alleged gambling problem or that $4.5 million was stolen.
According to a report in the New York Times, authorities believe they have evidence that Mizuhara actually blocked notifications to Ohtani’s bank account and did not know the money was being withdrawn. It was reported.
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Shohei Otani (left) and Ippei Mizuhara attend a press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on December 14, 2023. (Rob Reiter/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
Among the various stories told by Mizuhara, there is speculation that it was actually Otani’s gambling and that Mizuhara was the victim of it, with wire transfers totaling $1 million in Otani’s name. Two cases were sent to bookmakers.
However, Ohtani said, “I have never bet on baseball or any other sport, and I have never asked anyone to make a bet on my behalf.”
“I’m very sad and shocked that someone I trusted did something like this,” Ohtani said just before Opening Day.
Otani said he didn’t know about Suwon’s debt and how he was using the account “until a few days ago” while the team was in South Korea for the recent Seoul Series vs. South Korea. san diego padres.
Shohei Otani (Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images/File)
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Ohtani’s lawyer told the Los Angeles Times that Mizuhara stole “millions of dollars” from the two-way star to gamble through an illegal bookmaker, who lives in Orange County, California and is under federal investigation. he said.
Bowyer’s attorney, Diane Bass, told the outlet that her client had “never met, spoken to, texted or otherwise had any contact” with Ohtani. .
Mizuhara said he met with Dodgers representatives at a team meeting and told Ohtani in English that he would speak “one-on-one” afterwards.
“Until that team meeting, I didn’t know that Ippei had a gambling problem and was in debt. At that point, I never agreed to pay off the debt or pay the bookmakers.”
MLB announced that it is investigating the matter.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (right) speaks to the media with the help of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara at Dodger Stadium on February 3, 2024. (Keith Birmingham/Media News Group/Pasadena Star News via Getty Images)
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The Dodgers fired Mizuhara, who had served as Ohtani’s personal interpreter since he joined the majors in 2018. Mr. Mizuhara attended Otani’s bullpen sessions and often played catch in the outfield.
Ohtani signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason, the largest contract in North American sports history. Ohtani is deferring $68 million per year until his contract is completed. It is also reported that he is by far the biggest earner from sponsorships in the sport.
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