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Update: The Shohei Ohtani gambling story has taken another turn, as a spokesperson who previously coordinated Ippei Mizuhara’s interview with ESPN on Tuesday, March 19 has since disavowed Mizuhara’s declarations and said that Ohtani’s attorneys would be issuing an official statement.
“‘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,’ read the statement from Berk Brettler LLP.”
“The spokesman declined to answer any further questions, and the statement did not specify whom they believe perpetrated the alleged theft.” [via ESPN]
Original Article:
The Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara amidst allegations of him stealing millions of dollars from Ohtani.
The news of his firing comes less than 24 hours after Ohtani made his official debut for the Dodgers, whom he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with in the offseason.
Mizuhara has allegedly wired at least $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation in order to cover his debts.
That bookmaking operation — which is run by Mathew Bowyer, who could be facing felony charges — is also currently under federal investigation.
“The developments this week came as federal investigators are examining the operation run by Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. The wire-transfer payments were sent from Ohtani’s account to an associate of Bowyer’s, according to multiple sources and bank data reviewed by ESPN.”
“Multiple sources, including Mizuhara, told ESPN that Ohtani does not gamble, and that the funds covered Mizuhara’s losses.” [via ESPN]
At this time, however, sources tell ESPN that the feds have contacted neither Mizuhara nor Ohtani. Mizuhara also claims that he never bet on baseball.
Bowyer, the bookmaker involved in the alleged wire transfers, had his house raided in October, where federal authorities seized items such as “cash, casino chips, banking documents, a money-counting machine, multiple computers, portable storage devices, cell phones, two Breitling watches and nearly a dozen luxury handbags made by Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes.”
Mizuhara has accepted responsibility, saying on Wednesday “Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I’ve done… I’m ready to face all the consequences.”
A two-time American League MVP (2021 and 2023) and four-time All-MLB first-teamer, the 29-year-old Ohtani made his debut for the Dodgers on Wednesday, March 20 at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.
Ohtani, who will not be pitching this year while recovering from an injured elbow ligament, went 2-for-5 with an RBI single and stolen base in the Dodgers’ 5-2 win over the San Diego Padres.