Unanswered questions remain over allegations that Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter stole millions from the baseball star after his representatives declined to provide further details to ESPN.
Ippei Mizuhara is accused of transferring huge sums from Ohtani’s accounts to cover his debts to an illegal bookmaker in California, an allegation the player repeated during a press conference on Monday. Ohtani’s representatives said last week that “we are turning the matter over to the authorities.”
However, they have repeatedly refused to say to which authorities they reported the alleged theft. When ESPN asked for proof Of any criminal report on Tuesday, Ohtani’s representatives again declined to comment. The agencies likely to investigate any allegations surrounding Mizuhara have not confirmed to ESPN that they have received any report from Ohtani’s representatives.
The Department of Homeland Security said it was working with the IRS to investigate Mizuhara, but did not say whether that was related to the alleged theft. It also did not confirm whether the Ohtani camp had been contacted. The IRS previously told ESPN it was investigating Mizuhara and California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, but did not say whether Ohtani’s representatives had been contacted. Betting is legal in most US states, but not in California.
Mizuhara initially said Ohtani had given him money to pay off his gambling debts. However, Ohtani’s lawyers said at the time that Ohtani had been the victim of “mass theft” orchestrated by Mizuhara. In a subsequent interview with ESPN, Mizuhara said he lied in his initial statement and that Ohtani knew nothing about the gambling debts. Mizuhara, who had been a close friend of Ohtani, was fired as his interpreter.
“Ippei stole money from my account and told lies,” Ohtani said Monday.
Mizuhara said last week that Ohtani himself had not placed any bets. “I want everyone to know that Shohei was not involved in betting in any way,” he said. MLB players could be banned for life if they bet on their own teams.
The story has overshadowed MLB as it prepares for opening day on Thursday. Ohtani is baseball’s biggest star and one of the most famous people in his native Japan. Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in December on a 10-year, $700 million contract, and MLB expected the season’s storyline to be about one of the most talented baseball players in history joining one of the most famous clubs of sport would add. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that he believes Mizuhara’s departure will help Ohtani’s bond with his new team.
“Actually, I would say it will help internal relations,” Roberts said. “Because there is no buffer anymore. I think I’ve already seen it in the last few days. I think Shohei is even more involved with his teammates, and I think there are only positives about that.”
Roberts added that he was pleased Ohtani addressed the media on Monday.
“I think (Monday) was a big day, and we’re all looking forward to moving forward,” Roberts said. “But I do think this is an opportunity for us to really support him from all over.”
Ohtani is 0-for-6 in three exhibition games since returning from the Dodgers’ recent visit to South Korea.