There's chatter in the sports world that Shohei Ohtani's interpreter allegedly relayed his money into online gambling ventures.It's no surprise Shohei Ohtani makes headlines frequently, but this time, it's not for his athletic prowess. His trusted aide and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been axed by the Dodgers amidst allegations of siphoning Ohtani's millions into unauthorized online gambling.
Reportedly, through LA Times, Ippei Mizuhara is believed to have channeled unlawfully acquired funds into betting rings in California, a place where such online activities remain illicit. It's surfaced that $4.5 million was funneled from Ohtani's account, with links to a suspected California bookmaking operation by Mathew Bowyer.
Though financial logs depicted Ohtani’s name on hefty transactions camouflaged as loans, MLB has confirmed to The Athletic that no action is being taken against him, and he's seemingly not under their radar for inquiry.
An Innocent Victim?
While Mizuhara professes Ohtani never indulged in gambling, mixed messages from Mizuhara’s remarks muddle the waters. In an ESPN chat, he expressed how he confided in Ohtani about his dues, who was discontented and even wished to aid Mizuhara. Contradictorily, Mizuhara later refuted claims of Ohtani's awareness of these fiscal ties.
Mizuhara held a misconception that Bowyer's SoCal betting channel was within legal grounds, citing his prior dealings with DraftKings. He also reassured having abstained from wagers on baseball, a strict MLB taboo, validating players can legally bet on non-baseball sports.
An unnamed source divulged to ESPN that Bowyer, well-aware of the account names, shrugged as long as cash flowed. His false claim of Ohtani being a client was a ploy for business expansion and is grounds for felony charges. October's federal raid of Bowyer's residence unveiled casino chips, a cash counter, bundles of cash, alongside lavish goods.
The Mystery Continues
The facts remain elusive. Ohtani, a towering name due to his record-breaking baseball earnings, finds his fiscal decisions under scrutiny. The pressing query is how these funds were managed.
Presently, Mizuhara's assertion stands: Ohtani remained oblivious to the gambling and theft. Yet, the path of the upcoming investigation could offer intriguing insights.
Last Updated: May 3, 2024
