Shohei Ohtani spokespeople refuse to reveal which agency they alerted about Ippei Mizuhara’s alleged $4.5m theft from Dodgers star… but the fired translator is being investigated by TWO federal authorities

Is Shohei Ohtani’s fired translator Ippei Mizuhara under investigation for his alleged theft of $4.5 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star?

Ohtani’s representatives said last week that they had informed police that their client was a victim of Mizuhara’s theft: “Shohei has been the victim of a large-scale theft and we are turning the case over to the authorities.”

However, when contacted repeatedly by ESPNOhtani’s spokespeople declined to elaborate on their previous statement or share the specific instance they told about Mizuhara.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told ESPN that the agency was conducting an investigation into Mizuhara along with the IRS, but did not elaborate. It is unclear whether Mizuhara is being investigated by the two federal agencies for theft.

“Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles and IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office are conducting a joint federal investigation into the matter,” a spokesperson told DailyMail.com in a statement, noting that he was referring to the “overall investigation, including the role of Mizuhara.”

It’s unclear how Ohtani’s claims against Mizuhara fit into those investigations, or whether the allegations are even being considered by the IRS or DHS.

Both agencies, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California, have been investigating bookmaker Matthew Bowyer since at least October, sources told ESPN. It was that investigation that led to the revelation of at least $4.5 million in suspicious transfers between Ohtani’s account and Boyer’s alleged sportsbook.

Mizuhara was fired last week when the Dodgers were in the middle of the Seoul Series in South Korea against the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani spokespeople first told ESPN that the 29-year-old slugger covered Mizuhara’s extensive gambling debts. Later, after ESPN spoke to Mizuhara about the allegations, Ohtani’s spokespeople dismissed the translator’s comments to the network, instead offering a statement from lawyers representing the two-time MVP.

Ohtani says he made it through the first match in Seoul with no idea of ​​the unfolding scandal

Since then, Major League Baseball has announced its own investigation into the matter, with Ohtani reading a statement to reporters repeating his spokespeople’s claims against Mizuhara while denying that he ever violated MLB rules by betting on baseball.

“On a personal note, I am very saddened and shocked that someone I trust did this,” Ohtani began.

‘Obviously there are things today that I can only talk about to a limited extent. I hope you understand it. I have a document in front of me that I will refer to that details what happened.

‘I have never bet on baseball or other sports, and I have never asked anyone to do so on my behalf, and I have never bet on sports through a bookmaker. Until a few days ago I didn’t know this was happening. Let’s take a quick look at the result. In short, Ippei stole money from my account and told lies.’

Neither Mizuhara nor Ohtani have been charged with any crimes in these cases.