REVEALED: Shohei Ohtani’s hotshot Hollywood lawyers have previously represented Prince Andrew, Russell Brand and a host of other scandalized celebs… as $700m Dodgers star’s gambling probe rumbles on

Shohei Ohtani has hired a major Hollywood law firm in the wake of Major League Baseball’s investigation into allegations against his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

The Dodgers fired Mizuhara earlier this month, with Ohtani accusing his friend and longtime interpreter of lying to him and stealing money from him to pay off alleged gambling debts.

The scandal has overshadowed the run-up to Ohtani’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a record $700 million contract.

He has denied all wrongdoing, and last week a statement from Ohtani’s lawyers said: “We have discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a grand theft and we are turning the case over to the authorities.”

The statement came from the boutique firm Berk Brettler LLP, which was formed when two of the entertainment industry’s most high-profile and respected lawyers joined forces. They have worked for the likes of Prince Andrew, Russell Brand, Danny Masterson and Leonardo DiCaprio,

The baseball star has hired Berk Brettler, founded by Andrew Brettler (L) and Blair Berk (R)

Andrew Brettler has built a fierce reputation as a civil attorney, while Blair Berk is considered one of Hollywood’s top criminal defense attorneys. Together they have represented some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports.

Birch worked for Julio Urias, the former Dodgers pitcher who was placed on administrative leave last year after his domestic violence arrest. Urías avoided misdemeanor charges and is now a free agent.

She also collaborated with DiCaprio, Channing Tatum and Johnny Depp, among others. Berk interviewed Amber Heard as part of their high-profile abuse case.

Brettler, meanwhile, has helped entertainment stars including actresses Lindsay Lohan and Sydney Sweeney.

They have both worked with Armie Hammer, the star of The Social Network who was accused of rape in 2021 and faced accusations of “cannibalistic fantasies.”

Brettler was hired by Prince Andrew after Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual assault

Danny Masterson was recently sentenced to 30 years to life for raping two women

Actress Sydney Sweeney is also among the high-profile clients who have turned to Brettler

Brettler has also defended a number of controversial clients, including Masterson, the former TV star who was recently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the rape of two women.

However, the lawyer was thrust into the spotlight when he was hired by Prince Andrew after Virginia Giuffre filed a civil sexual assault lawsuit against the Royal, claiming he sexually assaulted her three times when she was 17.

“Everything we did was under a microscope,” Brettler told the Hollywood Report. “Every decision we made was second and third guesses and debated.”

Prince Andrew settled the case in February 2022 for a reported $12 million, without any admission of liability by the royal family, who have consistently and vehemently denied all charges against him.

Earlier this year, Brand hired the ‘pit bull’ lawyer – who reportedly charges up to $2,000 an hour – to fight sexual assault allegations in the US.

Berk’s clients included stars Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Channing Tatum

Ohtani broke his silence on the MLB gambling investigation earlier this week

Berk worked for Julio Urias, the ex-Dodgers pitcher who was arrested for domestic violence

Ohtani recently broke his silence on the scandal, saying he was “very saddened and shocked” by Mizuhara, adding (through an interpreter): “I never bet on baseball or any other sport and have never asked anyone to do it on behalf me to do and never went through a bookmaker.’

“In short, Ippei stole money from my account and told lies,” Ohtani said.

‘I have never bet on baseball or other sports, or asked anyone to do so on my behalf, and I have never bet on sports through a bookmaker.

‘I didn’t even know this was happening until a few days ago. Just to discuss the outcome: Ippei stole money from my account and told lies.’