LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have terminated the services of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara, a close friend of Ohtani, was fired on Wednesday after reports surfaced regarding his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker. The incident comes as the Dodgers are currently in South Korea, with Ohtani making his debut for the team earlier today.
Law firm Berk Brettler LLP released a statement on Wednesday, revealing that Ohtani had fallen victim to a significant theft, and they are now involving the authorities in the matter. Mizuhara, who resides in Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County, had been working with Ohtani for several years and had been a constant presence in major league clubhouses. When Ohtani joined the Dodgers in December, Mizuhara was also hired by the club.
Major League Baseball confirmed Mizuhara’s termination, stating that the team is aware of the media reports and is currently gathering information. The Dodgers have declined to comment further at this time. Mizuhara, who has not been reachable for comment, has played a significant role in Ohtani’s career, serving as both an interpreter and a close friend. He has been seen in the dugout and even caught Ohtani’s bullpen sessions during his time with the Los Angeles Angels.
According to ESPN, Mizuhara admitted to placing bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football. However, MLB rules strictly prohibit players and team employees from wagering on baseball, as well as betting on other sports through illegal or offshore bookmakers. Mizuhara claimed to have been aware of these rules and denied ever betting on baseball. He stated that the issue was discussed during spring training.
ESPN’s report also revealed that Mizuhara was linked to approximately $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation. Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani stated that the money was sent to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debt. However, this account was later disavowed, and a law firm representing Ohtani released a statement asserting that Ohtani was, in fact, the victim of theft.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Ohtani’s name emerged in a federal investigation into an Orange County man suspected of running an illegal bookmaking operation. Wire-transfer payments from Ohtani’s account were allegedly sent to an associate of the alleged bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer. The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the Bowyer investigation.
In a Tuesday interview with ESPN, Mizuhara claimed that he had asked Ohtani to pay off his gambling debt, which had reportedly reached at least $4.5 million. Mizuhara stated that he had previously placed bets on DraftKings and assumed that bets placed through Bowyer were legal. He claimed that Ohtani had agreed to help him and decided to cover the debt. However, on Wednesday, Mizuhara reversed his statement, stating that Ohtani had no knowledge of his gambling debts and had not transferred money to the bookmaker’s associate.
1 Response
1. Be cautious when hiring individuals for important roles: This incident highlights the importance of thoroughly vetting individuals before hiring them for positions of trust. Conduct background checks and reference checks to ensure that the person you are hiring has a clean record and is trustworthy.
2. Encourage a culture of transparency and reporting: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting any suspicious activities or concerns. Encourage open communication and provide channels for reporting any potential wrongdoing. This can help prevent illegal activities from going unnoticed for an