Some questions have arisen in the wake of Shohei Ohtani’s camp claiming the player was the victim of a “massive theft.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, with the latter accused of using $4.5 million from the player’s bank account to clear gambling debt. Mizuhara insists the Japanese star sanctioned the transactions.
According to a report from ESPN’s Tisha Thompson and Paula Lavigne, Ohtani’s representatives have failed to disclose which authorities they reported the theft to.
“Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s representatives declined again Tuesday to answer ESPN’s questions about which authorities they have contacted to report their allegation of theft against Ohtani’s former interpreter,” the report notes.
The network claims to have repeatedly asked for said information yet the player’s reps have refused to provide proof of a report being made.
Also Read: The Entire Internet Is Making The Same Joke About ESPN’s Coverage Of The Shohei Ohtani Saga
Of course, social media finds it fishy…
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None Of The Agencies Have Confirmed Receiving A Report From Shohei Ohtani
ESPN has also received no confirmation from any local, state, or federal agencies bearing jurisdiction that they received any reports from Shohei Ohtani’s camp.
The Department of Homeland Security told ESPN earlier this week that steps have been taken alongside the IRS to investigate Ippei Mizuhara but would not specify whether it was looking into accusations of theft or whether contact was made by the player’s camp.
The Worldwide Leader In Sports has been told by an IRS spokesperson that the agency is conducting a probe with Mizuhara and illegal bookmaker Mathew Boywer the subjects. The agency also declined to say whether Ohtani’s representatives had made contact.
Homeland Security, the IRS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have been investigating Bowyer since last October. Said agencies have also been investigating a federal money laundering and illegal gambling case involving former minor league baseball player and bookmaker Wayne Nix and former MLB star Yasiel Puig.
ESPN could not say whether the investigation into Mizuhara is related or if Ohtani’s claim of theft fits in.
