Ippei Mizuhara, the former translator for Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani, is reportedly in discussions with federal prosecutors to enter a guilty plea, as reported by the New York Times. The sources familiar with the situation mentioned by the Times indicate that Mizuhara is preparing to acknowledge his involvement in using an illegal bookmaker to place sports bets, accumulating millions in debts that were allegedly paid off with money stolen from the American League MVP.
The Dodgers terminated Mizuhara’s employment after he was linked to an investigation concerning an alleged illegal bookmaker named Mathew Bowyer, residing in Orange County. The scandal unfolded as it was discovered that Mizuhara had engaged in sports betting, a practice strictly prohibited by Major League Baseball, especially using illicit bookmakers or offshore platforms, and illegal in California where the bets were placed.
Shohei Ohtani, unaware of Mizuhara’s gambling debts or the misappropriation of funds from him to settle those debts, was described by investigators as a victim of significant financial loss, initially estimated at $4.5 million. However, recent reports from the New York Times suggest that the amount could be even higher.
The revelation that Mizuhara may have altered Ohtani’s bank account settings to prevent transaction alerts and confirmations sheds light on the extent of the deceit. This revelation highlights the gravity of the situation, particularly considering the extraordinary financial success Ohtani had recently achieved with a record-breaking $700 million contract.
Following an exclusive interview with ESPN where Mizuhara initially suggested that Ohtani had volunteered to cover his debts, the star athlete refuted these claims in a press conference at Dodger Stadium, denouncing his former ally as a liar.
Ohtani and Mizuhara’s once celebrated partnership, which flourished from their initial meeting in a Japanese baseball club to their collaborations in the MLB, has now been tarnished by these allegations. With more attention directed towards Mizuhara’s background and credentials, discrepancies in his educational and professional history have emerged, prompting investigations by the IRS, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Department of Homeland Security.
As Major League Baseball conducts its own inquiry into Mizuhara’s involvement in sports betting, Ohtani has pledged full cooperation with the investigations. The Dodgers have advised him to focus on the ongoing baseball season as the legal proceedings are anticipated to conclude soon..
Realted Post :