Investigators from the government have looked into Shohei Ohtani and found evidence that he was secretly betting on baseball, as confirmed by the Post.
This development might bring some relief to former Los Angeles Angels player David Fletcher and ex-Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puig, according to a source familiar with the situation.
“When a prosecutor resigns, it rarely bodes well for them,” the source remarked, adding, “I hope this remains a priority for them.”
Meanwhile, Resorts World is bracing for a potential investigation by the DOJ, as it allowed a well-known sportsbook operator to place bets at the casino.
US attorney Aide Jeff Mitchell spearheaded the inquiry into Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, to determine if Ohtani himself was involved in betting. Mitchell stepped down from his position on May 16 and will continue to receive pay until September, according to sources linked to the California Central District.
Mitchell’s focus was on prosecuting Mizuhara.
On February 6, US District Judge John Holcomb handed down a sentence of 57 months in prison to Mizuhara for illegally transferring nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s account, which he used to settle substantial gambling debts and file false tax returns related to an illicit bookmaking operation.
However, Mizuhara’s surrender date has been postponed multiple times until May 12, prompting speculation about his cooperation with federal authorities.
“This situation is likely unfolding as expected,” the source noted. “And that could be positive news for Ohtani or others not yet involved.”
MLB conducted an investigation into Ohtani and determined in June 2024 that he was a victim of fraud.
Reportedly, Fletcher, who is Ohtani’s close friend and teammate, was involved in betting through Mizuhara’s illegal bookmaker, Matthew Boyer, but has not faced any criminal charges.
As for Puig, he is currently contending with accusations of obstruction of justice tied to sports betting inquiries.
His lawyer did not respond to requests for comment before press time.
The US Attorney’s Office in Central California has opted not to comment on the ongoing lawsuit.
