- Los Angeles Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani has been caught up in an unusual illegal gambling scandal.
- Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been accused of stealing money from the two-time MVP to cover gambling debts.
- Initially, according to Mizuhara, Ohtani agreed to cover his gambling debts.
The biggest star in baseball is in the middle of a bizarre gambling story involving an illegal bookmaker, his interpreter, and millions of dollars.
According to the LA Times, Ohtani’s attorneys have accused his long-time interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, 39, of a “massive theft” in the millions to cover gambling debts.
“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,” attorney Berk Brettler said in a statement.
Ohtani’s Name Discovered on Bank Transfers
Ohtani’s name was uncovered amid a federal investigation into illegal bookmaker Matthew Bowyer. His house was raided in October 2023, with banking documents, money-counting machines, casino chips, and more being discovered at his residence.
During the investigation into Bowyer, a resident of Orange County, officers discovered that wire transfers were sent from Ohtani’s accounts to the bookie.
Per ESPN, bank documents reveal that two $500,000 transfers were completed to an associate of Bowyer from Ohtani in September 2023 and October 2023.
Sources report that Mizuhara started gambling on international soccer matches and other sports through Bowyer in 2021. The source claims that Mizuhara did not bet on Los Angeles Dodgers games — or any baseball for that matter.
Mizuhara initially met Bowyer at a poker game in 2021. Ohtani’s interpreter, who was already betting on DraftKings, believed that it was legal to place bets with Bowyer.
The interpreter’s gambling debts reportedly grew to $4.5 million.
From Covering Debts to “Massive Theft”
The report of Ohtani being a victim was only recently reported by his attorneys. However, this does not follow the original story, which was believed to be Ohtani, 29, helping a long-time business associate and friend pay down his gambling debts.
According to Mizuhara, Ohtani wasn’t happy with the idea of transferring money to cover his debts, but ultimately obliged to send money to Bowyer.
“Obviously, he [Ohtani] wasn’t happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again. He decided to pay it off for me.”
Ohtani’s interpreted claims that the Dodgers baseball star sent the wire transfers while in his presence. Mizuhara reiterated that Ohtani is not involved in gambling on sporting events.
“I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting. I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again.”
Now, Ohtani’s attorneys are asserting that their client did not agree to send millions to assist Mizuhara with his gambling debts. In other words, they are indicating that Mizuhara is fabricating the story of Ohtani consenting to the wire transfer to Bowyer’s illegal gambling operation.
ESPN sources state Bowyer was cognizant of wire transfers being sent from Ohtani. As long as the money was being sent, Bowyer wasn’t concerned with Ohtani’s name being on the wire transfer. Moreover, he reportedly used the MLB star’s name as a marketing tool to gain more business.
Mizuhara Fired from Interpreter Position
Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers after reports recently surfaced of Ohtani being the victim of a “massive theft”. It ends a relationship that dates back to 2013 when the pair first met in Japan.
Ohtani and Mizuhara developed a working relationship and friendship while the two-way phenom was playing professional baseball back home for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
In 2018, when Ohtani moved to the United States to play for the Los Angeles Angels, Mizuhara joined him with his new team. Since then, Mizuhara has been a fixture alongside Ohtani’s during interviews with reporters.
Mizuhara has not commented since the allegations were made against him by Ohtani’s legal team.
