The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s long-time interpreter.
The LA Times is reporting that Mizuhara stole millions of dollars from Ohtani to place bets with an illegal bookmaker in California.
Bowyer, a bookmaker, dealt directly with Mizuhara, who placed bets on soccer matches and other sports — except for baseball — beginning in 2021, sources told ESPN. Payments were wired from Ohtani’s account to an associate of Bowyer’s, per sources and bank data reviewed by the outlet.
According to The Times, the probe into Bowyer involves the same prosecution team investigating a multimillion-dollar illegal sports gambling scheme surrounding a bookmaking operation led by former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix of Newport Beach.
However, by Wednesday, Mizuhara walked back his statement and said the athlete was not aware of his gambling debts and did not transfer money to Bowyer’s associate.
“Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I’ve done,” Mizuhara said Wednesday. “I’m ready to face all the consequences.” “Obviously, he [Ohtani] wasn’t happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again,” Mizuhara said. “He decided to pay it off for me.” He added, “I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting. I want people to know I did not know this was illegal.”