The depths of deception orchestrated by Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter have been revealed.
Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole at least $4.5 million — and reportedly it may be more than originally believed — by changing Ohtani’s bank settings so that the Dodgers’ two-way phenom would not receive notifications about the transactions, according to the New York Times.
The millions allegedly helped cover illegal gambling losses, and Mizuhara is in talks to plead guilty to his alleged crimes, according to the report.
These details about Ohtani being unaware of the money movement due to alleged nefarious tactics by Mizuhara would align with Ohtani claiming he was the victim of massive theft.
Ohtani’s camp first told ESPN he had transferred funds to cover the gambling losses — placed through an illegitimate bookmaker in California, where gambling is illegal — and Mizuhara gave his version, before Ohtani’s representatives “disavowed” the interpreter’s version and alleged he had stolen money.
“In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities,” Berk Brettler LLP said in a statement.
Mizuhara initially had been alleged to have stolen at least $4.5 million, but the new report from the New York Times said that the actual number may exceed that amount.
Ohtani then told reporters his former interpreter had been stealing from him, and said he never placed a bet on sports or sent money to the bookie.
“Up until a couple of days ago, I did not know this was happening,” Ohtani said on March 25. “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.”
He added: “I’m very saddened and shocked that someone I trusted has done this.”
What to know about Shohei Ohtani’s accusations against his former interpreter
Lawyers representing Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani have accused his now-former interpreter and longtime friend Ippei Mizuhara of “massive theft” in a $4.5 million bombshell.
Mizuhara, who followed the two-time AL MVP from the Angels after he signed a 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason, reportedly accrued massive gambling debts he needed to pay off.
Mizuhara first told ESPN Ohtani offered to pay off the debt and later changed his story, insisting the Japanese star was unaware of the eight-nine wire transfers made from his accounts to an alleged illegal bookmaker.
Ohtani’s camp has “disavowed” Mizuhara’s initial story, per ESPN.
He was fired shortly after the Dodgers’ season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, and Ohtani has yet to publicly address the situation, though his camp is pushing for a law enforcement investigation amid an IRS probe.
“I never bet on baseball,” Mizuhara told ESPN. “That’s 100%. I knew that rule. … We have a meeting about that in spring training.”
All sides claim Ohtani has no involvement in any gambling.
The Times reported that a guilty plea from Mizuhara to a federal judge “could confirm” Ohtani’s version of events, and would “likely” include him admitting to illegal activities.
The report states he would have a better chance of receiving a “more lenient sentence” should he plead guilty to the alleged charges.
Ohtani’s camp informed federal authorities about the alleged heist, and he spoke with them recently regarding the matter, per the report.
Neither Ohtani nor Mizuhara have been charged with a crime as of Thursday morning.
Amid this drama, Ohtani has continued to perform like an MVP.
Entering Thursday, he’s batting .333 with three homers, eight RBIs and a 1.012 OPS for the NL West-leading Dodgers.
