The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, is likely to face charges by federal authorities in connection with a gambling investigation involving a California bookie. Ohtani has been cooperating with the investigation, and his attorneys have accused Mizuhara of stealing money from Ohtani’s account and involvement in sports gambling. The Dodgers fired Mizuhara after these allegations came to light, and Major League Baseball opened an investigation into the matter.
Ohtani publicly addressed the scandal in a news conference, expressing shock and sadness at the betrayal by someone he trusted. Mizuhara, who was not only Ohtani’s interpreter but also a close friend, allegedly made at least nine wire transfers totaling $4.5 million from Ohtani’s account to a bookmaking operation in Southern California. Ohtani denied any involvement in sports betting and vowed to cooperate with authorities to address the situation.
The allegations against Mizuhara were first reported by The Los Angeles Times and ESPN, sparking a widespread investigation into the matter. Ohtani’s attorneys at Berk Brettler LLP released a statement confirming that Ohtani had been a victim of a massive theft and that they would be turning the matter over to the authorities. Ohtani, a 29-year-old Japanese baseball star, has been a major player in the MLB since coming to the U.S. in 2018 to play for the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim.
Ohtani signed a significant $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December, further solidifying his place as one of baseball’s biggest stars. Despite the scandal involving his former interpreter, Ohtani has maintained his innocence and continued to focus on his career and commitments to the team. The investigation into Mizuhara’s alleged involvement in the gambling operation is ongoing, with federal authorities likely to bring charges against him in the near future.
As Ohtani works to put the scandal behind him and move forward in his career, his fans and supporters have rallied around him, showing their continued support for the talented athlete. The impact of the investigation on Ohtani’s reputation and career remains to be seen, but he has remained focused on his game and committed to being a positive role model for aspiring athletes around the world. Ohtani’s dedication to his sport and his determination to rise above challenges will continue to be an inspiration for many in the baseball community.
