Dodgers fire translator Ippei Mizuhara who was accused of stealing Shohei Ohtani's funds, may be used to pay off gambling debts

It has been revealed that the Los Angeles Dodgers, an MLB team, has fired Ippei Mizuhara, who is in charge of interpreting for player Shohei Ohtani. According to multiple reports, Mr. Mizuhara is involved in gambling through illegal bookmakers (gambling companies) and has been accused by the law firm representing Otani of ``large-scale theft of funds.'' It is said that it is.

Dodgers Shohei Otani's translator Ippei Mizuhara fired; may be involved in illegal gambling, multiple US media reports | NHK | Shohei Otani

Shohei Otani's painfully accused interpreter of 'massive theft' tied to alleged gambling - Los Angeles Times

Dodgers fire Shohei Ohtani's interpreter amid allegation of 'massive theft' - ESPN
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39768770/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-interpreter-fired-theft

Shohei Ohtani interpreter fired after allegations of stealing money
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/dodgers/2024/03/20/dodgers-fire-shohei-ohtani-interpreter-stealing-money-allegations/73047113007/

Ippei Mizuhara accused of wiring $4.5M from Shohei Ohtani's bank account for gambling, report says - YouTube


According to reports, when the FBI raided bookmaker Matthew Bowyer's house in October 2023, $500,000 (approx. It was confirmed that there was a deposit of 75 million yen), and as a result of investigating, it was found that it was a payment for gambling losses of Mr. Mizuhara, an interpreter.

Mr. Mizuhara explained to ESPN that he met Mr. Bowyer while playing a poker game in 2021, and they started betting money together in late 2021. It seems that the loss has ballooned to more than 1 million dollars (about 150 million yen) by the end of 2022.

The details regarding the remittance have changed slightly, and when ESPN interviewed Mr. Mizuhara on the 19th, he said, ``After Otani learned about the debt, he warned him not to do this again and asked him to pay the amount due.'' 'Mr. Mizuhara made the wire transfer in installments with Mr. Otani's consent,' but on the afternoon of the 20th, he said, 'Mr. Otani had no knowledge of the gambling.' ” was the explanation.

Regarding this matter, the law firm Burke Brettler, who represents Otani, said, ``We have discovered that Otani is the victim of large-scale embezzlement and have referred the matter to the authorities,'' Mizuhara's name was not mentioned. Although they have not, they have issued a statement stating that they have filed charges.

MLB does not prohibit baseball players or team employees from betting on sports other than baseball, such as the NBA or NFL, but it prohibits gambling on baseball and illegal gambling. Additionally, California, where the Dodgers are based, bans all sports betting.

Bowyer's attorney, Diane Bass, said, ``Mr. Bowyer has never met, spoken to, or even sent a message to Otani.''

According to the Los Angeles Times, Boyer's investigation involves a team of prosecutors targeting widespread illegal sports betting in Orange County, California. More than 10 people have been charged in an investigation into the bookmaking business led by a former minor leaguer, including former Dodgers player Yasiel Puig, who maintains his innocence. .

Mizuhara admitted that he had been gambling, but explained that he did not gamble on baseball and did not know that it was illegal. He has released a statement expressing remorse and saying he will never gamble again after seeing the pain he experienced.