Shohei Ohtani’s world turned upside down recently. His lawyers have thrown a curveball, accusing his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, of a “massive theft.” Imagine, a friend and confidante, allegedly betraying him. ESPN dropped a bombshell, revealing that a whopping $4.5 million vanished from Ohtani’s account, allegedly funneled to a bookie under the feds’ microscope.
Mizuhara, who’s been by Ohtani’s side since his 2018 MLB debut, got the boot from the Dodgers last Wednesday. It’s like a bad movie plot, right? And by Friday, MLB was all over this, launching a full-blown investigation. Talk about a plot twist.
Mizuhara’s initial chat with ESPN was a head-scratcher. He claimed Ohtani was just covering his gambling debts. But then, whoops, he flipped his story faster than a pancake, insisting Ohtani was in the dark about the payments. This drama unfolded in Seoul, of all places, as the Dodgers kicked off their 2024 season. Mizuhara even apologized to the team, admitting his gambling addiction. Yet, Ohtani’s camp said this clubhouse confession was news to them.
Fast forward a bit, and Mizuhara’s out of a job. Ohtani’s lawyers are now painting him as the victim here. Mizuhara, meanwhile, swears he never bet on baseball. Diane Bass, representing the alleged bookie, backs him up. But here’s the kicker: sports betting’s a no-go in California. And dabbling in it breaks MLB rules.
The plot thickens as Ohtani’s team calls in the law on Thursday. The IRS is now sniffing around Mizuhara and the bookie. It’s a mess.
Lawyers’ accusations
The L.A. Times names the bookie as Mathew Bowyer. He’s caught up in a federal probe, and so is Ohtani, thanks to Mizuhara’s alleged antics. Last year, feds raided Bowyer’s place. Seems they’re digging into a big gambling ring, one that even roped in Yasiel Puig. It’s all a bit murky, though.
Berk Brettler’s spokesperson is on it, vowing to get to the bottom of this “massive theft.” Meanwhile, Bowyer’s lawyer is playing it cool, claiming no direct ties to Ohtani. The U.S. Attorney’s Office? Mum’s the word from them.
Interpreter’s response
Mizuhara’s tale to ESPN was a rollercoaster. First, he’s begging Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Then, he’s claiming ignorance about the legality of his bets. “Ohtani’s gonna help me out,” he said. But suddenly, he’s singing a different tune, insisting Ohtani knew nothing about the money trail. Mizuhara’s betting habits? Apparently, they were all over the map, but never on baseball.
ESPN’s Tisha Thompson sheds some light on Mizuhara’s flip-flopping. With Mizuhara still translating for Ohtani, the truth was hard to pin down. And let’s not forget, California said a big “nope” to legalizing sports gambling recently.
With Mizuhara out, Will Ireton steps in as Ohtani’s temp interpreter. Ireton’s no stranger to the gig, having worked with other players before.
Is MLB investigating?
You bet. MLB’s on the case, digging into the allegations since the news hit. They’re in full investigation mode, trying to piece this puzzle together.
Could Ohtani face punishment?
MLB’s got strict rules against gambling. Mizuhara claims he stuck to other sports, but the league’s taking no chances. They’re weighing their options, and Ohtani could be in hot water, especially with California’s tough gambling laws.
What are Ohtani and the Dodgers saying?
Not a whole lot. Ohtani’s keeping his head down, focusing on the game. He played against the Padres but stayed silent on the scandal. The Dodgers’ brass? They’re keeping their cards close to their chest.
Who is Ippei Mizuhara?
Mizuhara’s been Ohtani’s right-hand man since his Angels days in 2017. But now, he’s at the center of a storm that’s got everyone talking. What a wild ride, huh?
