Shohei Ohtani’s camp is providing scant details regarding the alleged “massive theft” by his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara in the wake of his alleged illegal gambling.
Ohtani’s lawyers have declined to specify which “authorities” they have contacted, according to ESPN, after saying they planned to do so.
The outlet reported that no “likely local, state or federal agencies” that could potentially be enlisted have confirmed they have been contacted by Ohtani’s representatives.
“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,” law firm Berk Brettler said in a statement last week after the revelation of the alleged illegal gambling.
ESPN reported that the Department of Homeland Security is working with the IRS to investigate Mizuhara, but did not specify the specifics regarding the theft allegations or Ohtani’s involvement.
The IRS also declined to say whether Ohtani’s camp had contacted it, per the report.
“Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles and IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office are conducting a joint federal investigation into the matter,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told ESPN.
Ohtani did not provide much details Monday in his first public comments since the bombshell report that Mizuhara allegedly tallied illegal gambling debts of at least $4.5 million.
He did not take questions, instead reading a statement that was translated by his new interpreter.
“Up until a couple of days ago, I did not know this was happening,” Ohtani said. “In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.”
Ohtani said he only learned of Mizuhara’s debt during the opening two-game series last week in Seoul, South Korea, with Mizuhara revealing the details during a one-on-one talk.
“That was when I found out that he had a massive debt,” Ohtani said about the sit-down. “It was revealed to me during that meeting that Ippei admitted he was sending money using my account to the bookmaker. At that moment, it was an absurd thing that was happening and I contacted my representatives at that point. When I was finally able to talk to my representatives, that’s when my representatives found out that Ippei had been lying the whole time. That’s when I started contacting the Dodgers and my lawyers.
“And the Dodgers and the lawyers at that moment found out also as well that they had been lied to.”
Ohtani said he has not bet on baseball.
“I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do it in on my behalf,” Ohtani said. “I have never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports.”
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.
Part of the confusion regarding this scandal has revealed with how Ohtani’s camp changed its initial story.
His representatives originally told ESPN he had transferred funds to offset Mizuhara’s debts, and Mizuhara provided context, but later Ohtani’s camp “disavowed” Mizahura’s version.
That’s when the statement came out alleging Ohtani is a theft victim.
Gambling is illegal in California, and Mizuhara is alleged to have places bets via a Southern California bookmaker; he reportedly never wagered on baseball.
Neither Ohtani nor Mizuhara have been charged with any crimes.
