Ohtani cleared of wrongdoing in illegal gambling investigation: Report
Ohtani cleared in gambling investigation: Report
Shohei Ohtani didn't know that his former translator Ippei Mizuhara was using the star's money to pay off illegal gambling debts, according to a new report from TMZ. The New York Times is reporting that Mizuhara is negotiating a guilty plea related to the allegations.
LOS AGNELES - Weeks ago, Shohei Ohtani claimed he didn't know his former translator Ippei Mizuhara was using millions of the Los Angeles Dodgers star's money to pay off illegal gambling debts. Now, according to a new report from TMZ, federal investigators have confirmed that not only was Ohtani not involved in the gambling, but that Mizuhara had defrauded Ohtani, and he will soon face charges.
Last month, the Dodgers fired Mizuhara after reports surfaced that Mizuhara had stolen more than $4.5 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts to an illegal bookmaker in Orange County.
Ohtani's knowledge of what had gone on was constantly in question, mainly due to conflicting stories Mizuhara allegedly told ESPN. In an initial interview with Tisha Thompson, Mizuhara claimed that Ohtani knew about the payments, and had voluntarily given him the money to cover his debts. Days later, Mizuhara told Thompson that that story was a lie.
RELATED
- Timeline of the Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara fallout
- Shohei Ohtani: I never bet on sports or sent money to bookmaker
- Ippei Mizuhara accused of wiring $4.5M of Shohei Ohtani's money for gambling, reports sa
Days later, Ohtani addressed the scandal for the first time, through a new interpreter, saying "I’ve never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked someone to do it on my behalf. I have never gone through a bookmaker to bet on sports."
During that press conference, Ohtani claimed he learned of the illegal gambling moments after Mizuhara shared the news with the Dodgers team after their first game in South Korea.
TMZ's report would back up claims from Ohtani's camp, that he was the victim of "massive theft." Law enforcement sources told the outlet that Mizuhara had embezzled from one of Ohtani's accounts and Ohtani had no idea. The sources told TMZ that Ohtani was cleared of any wrongdoing.
While TMZ is reporting that Mizuhara could be charged any day now, a report from the New York Times claims that Mizuhara is currently negotiating a guilty plea.
A source close to Dodgers Media Relations told FOX 11's Geraud Moncuré that they're aware of the reports, but are waiting to address them until hearing from the league.