Ippei Mizuhara shot to fame when he started to work with Dodgers megastar Shohei Ohtani, but his fame has turned into controversy amid a massive gambling and possible theft scandal.
Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara were practically connected at the hip for 6 years, but that connection was broken when he was abruptly fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday after representatives of Ohtani accused the interpreter of “massive theft” of the player’s funds. He reportedly took $4.5 million to place bets with an allegedly illegal Orange County bookmaker who is the target of a federal investigation.
Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara claims that the two-way superstar has never gambled or bet on sports.
The following is Mizuhara, courtesy of ESPN‘s Trisha Thompson:
“Ohtani has never gambled and ‘thinks gambling is terrible.'” Thompson wrote. “He sees that people, teammates would be gambling all the time, and he’ll be like, ‘Why are they doing this? Gambling is not good.’ He would make comments like that. People would ask him to go to casinos on road trips, and he would never go. No, he’s not into it.”
It should be noted that Diane Bass, the attorney for the bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, said her client has “never met, spoken with, or texted, or had contact in any way with Shohei Ohtani.”
Mizuhara allegedly stole millions from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts. Investigators reportedly uncovered wire transfers to Bowyer from a bank account in Ohtani’s name.
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Over the offseason, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700-million deal with the Dodgers in December after playing his first six seasons with the Angels.
Also Read: Social Media Uncovers Evidence Exposing Shohei Ohtani For Throwing Games As Part Of Betting Scandal
Amid all of the information that has come to light, Major League Baseball launched an investigation into Shohei Ohtani and Mizuhara to make sure everything that happened is uncovered.
MLB’s policy prohibits “any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee” from betting on baseball or making illegal bets involving other sports.
The Excitement Surrounding Shohei Ohtani With The Dodgers Has Weakened Over Gambling Controversy
Major League Baseball should be basking in the glow of Shohei Ohtani starting his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after his free agency.
However, a massive gambling scandal involving him and his former interpreter has started the 2024 MLB season off with controversy and nobody wins in the end.
