Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani finds himself embroiled in a financial scandal, as his lawyers accuse his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, of orchestrating a significant embezzlement scheme. The accusation alleges Mizuhara funneled Ohtani’s funds into illicit bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker, a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the baseball community.
The Dodgers swiftly took action, terminating Mizuhara’s employment following the damning accusation. This decision came on Wednesday, marking a rapid response to the unfolding controversy.
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The saga began to unravel when Ohtani’s name emerged in connection with an investigation into Orange County resident Matthew Bowyer, a figure under federal scrutiny for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling activities. The revelation prompted Ohtani’s representatives to scrutinize Mizuhara’s actions, uncovering what they describe as a “massive theft” of the slugger’s finances, reaching into the millions of dollars.
In a statement issued by West Hollywood law firm Berk Brettler, the gravity of the situation was underscored: “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.”
Mizuhara, when approached by ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, admitted his involvement in gambling but vehemently denied any connection between Ohtani and the illegal activities. “I’m terrible [at gambling]. Never going to do it again. Never won any money,” Mizuhara lamented, portraying himself as a victim of his own actions. He confessed to placing bets on international soccer matches and other sports, accumulating staggering debts reportedly as high as $4.5 million.
Mizuhara said Shohei had no involvement in gambling
“I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting,” Mizuhara asserted, seeking to distance Ohtani from the scandal. “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.”
Mizuhara‘s departure from the Dodgers marks the end of a tenure that began in 2018 when Ohtani first arrived in Major League Baseball. Prior to his stint with Ohtani, Mizuhara served as the interpreter for pitcher Hideki Okajima during his time with the Boston Red Sox from 2007 to 2011.
The bombshell revelation of Mizuhara’s misdeeds comes at a critical juncture for Ohtani, who recently inked a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers. Currently in Seoul, South Korea, for the team’s season-opening series against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani has yet to comment on the unfolding scandal, leaving fans and pundits alike eagerly awaiting his response.
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