Shohei Ohtani’s trusted interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been terminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers amid allegations of theft related to illicit gambling.
According to a source, at least $4.5m (£3.5m) was transferred from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaker. Ohtani is not accused of wrongdoing.
Mizuhara openly discussed his gambling debts with the sports network on Tuesday.This development unfolds as Ohtani begins his regular season journey with the Dodgers.
The team’s senior communications director informed that they are in the process of gathering information and confirmed the termination of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
The source has said it reviewed bank information showing Ohtani’s name on two $500,000 payments, one sent in September and the other in October, to a bookmaking operation run by Mathew Bowyer.
Reportedly, Bowyer was under investigation by a prosecution team targeting a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting scheme but was not charged with any offense, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Although sports betting is legal in 38 states in the United States, it remains illegal in California.
Major League Baseball’s own policy prohibits ‘any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee’ from betting on any baseball game and placing bets with illegal bookmakers.
During his interview, Mizuhara allegedly mentioned seeking assistance from the baseball star to deal with his gambling debts.
“Obviously, [Ohtani] wasn’t happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again,” Mr Mizuhara reportedly said.
“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.”
Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani informed that the former Los Angeles Angels star had transferred funds to settle his interpreter’s gambling debts, but this assertion has been retracted.
Mr. Mizuhara himself has reportedly changed his story, now saying that Ohtani did not know about the gambling debts and did not transfer the money.
According to a source, Ohtani’s attorneys have now accused his interpreter of “massive theft.”
“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,” a statement from West Hollywood law firm Berk Brettler reportedly read.
Ohtani recently secured a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers following his second unanimous American League MVP win.
His journey in the US began in 2018, with Mr. Mizuhara serving as a steadfast companion. Recently, a photo surfaced revealing Mr. Ohtani’s wife, Mamiko Tanaka, alongside Mizuhara and his wife, putting an end to weeks of speculation.
Mizuhara’s skill in translating Ohtani’s remarks into colloquial English has garnered widespread acclaim in Japan.