Major League Baseball has launched an official investigation into allegations of illegal gambling and theft involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara was released from the team after reports emerged about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and claims from Ohtani’s lawyers that Ohtani had fallen victim to a “massive theft.”
MLB launches Shohei Ohtani investigation
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 22, 2024
MLB’s Department of Investigations has begun the formal process of investigating the matter. The investigation comes after reports were published about the alleged ties between Mizuhara and the illegal bookmaker while the Dodgers were in Seoul, South Korea, for their opening series against the San Diego Padres.
Mizuhara and the bookmaker are now under criminal investigation by the IRS. Mizuhara has not been reached for comment, and it is unclear if he has legal representation or if he has left the country. MLB established its Department of Investigations in 2008 to address allegations of performance-enhancing drug use in the sport.
The unit has previously investigated high-profile players like Alex Rodriguez and Trevor Bauer. Ohtani, who is considered one of baseball’s biggest stars, has not made any statements regarding the investigation. The Dodgers are scheduled to resume their regular season next week.
The MLB gambling policy prohibits players and team employees from betting on baseball, as well as other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers. ESPN reported that Mizuhara initially claimed that Ohtani had paid his gambling debts, but later changed his story, stating that Ohtani had no knowledge of the debts and had not transferred any money to bookmakers.
Ohtani’s lawyers have accused Mizuhara of stealing millions of dollars and engaging in gambling activities tied to a bookmaker under federal investigation. The attorneys have not provided details on how the funds were stolen.
Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers, prompting questions as Ohtani made his debut with the team. During the investigation, it was discovered that $4.5 million had been transferred from Ohtani’s accounts, though it is unclear who initiated the transfers.
The scandal unfolded while Ohtani played his first game with the Dodgers, where the team secured a victory. The Dodgers confirmed Mizuhara’s firing and stated that they are gathering information. As news of the firing and alleged actions emerged, both Mizuhara and Ohtani’s representatives shifted their statements to ESPN reporters.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office is involved in the investigation, but no additional details were provided. Mizuhara had acted as Ohtani’s interpreter before being fired, and Mathew Bowyer, a person connected to the investigation, had gambling debts over a decade ago.
A record-breaking contract was signed by Ohtani with the Dodgers after leaving the Angels. Ohtani’s spokesperson initially stated that the player had transferred money to help pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts, but later disavowed Mizuhara’s account and claimed that Ohtani was the victim of theft. The matter has been turned over to the authorities for further investigation.
Thompson revealed that Mizuhara admitted to lying about Ohtani’s awareness of his debts. However, Mizuhara later changed his story and admitted that Ohtani had no knowledge of the debts and had not made any payments.
CNN reached out to Ohtani’s agent and the Dodgers for comment, with no response from MLB as yet. Mizuhara, who has translated for Ohtani since 2013, worked with him during their time with the Nippon-Ham Fighters and joined him when Ohtani moved to the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
Following the Dodgers’ game in Seoul, Mizuhara apologized to the team, reportedly admitting to a gambling problem. This incident raises parallels to the 1919 World Series scandal and the lifetime bans imposed on players involved.
Additionally, it highlights the increased popularity of sports gambling, with Americans betting a record-breaking $119.84 billion on sports in 2023.
Fans reacted as follows.
So who’s gonna DH for the dodgers now 😂
— TCollins04 (@TCollinsDFS) March 22, 2024
1-game into a 700 million dollar contract and MLB is launching an investigation into the Ohtani situation
And they say Baseball is boring!
— Dr. Ismael Gallo DPT, MBA (@flowsdoc) March 22, 2024
Shohei is cooked now
— Not Jake 🥷🏻 (@CincyHub) March 22, 2024
Dodgers downfall will feed families
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) March 22, 2024
LOCK HIM UP
— Penguin Man (@SadPackersFan) March 22, 2024
the downfall will be historic
— casey (@sportsby_me) March 22, 2024
Dodgers downfall will make baseball the best sport ever
— Lost Tribe Sports (@LostTribeSports) March 22, 2024
Ohtani spending his last dollar on a Cubs world series… pic.twitter.com/pyxkqfOorC
— Chipy Chop Top (@rrjohns1011) March 22, 2024
The Biggest Star In The Game,
Goes Down For Gambling,
One Game Into The New Season,
Which Officially Hasn’t Even Started pic.twitter.com/L1tdUNKulA— Vintage_Steez (@VintageSteez) March 22, 2024
I'm a fan of Ohtani, but you have to be the most naive person if you think the translator stole all that money and Ohtani didn't know about it.
Now, let him play, he is still the best player and good for the game .— Joel Alfonso (@JoelAlfonsoLA) March 22, 2024
BAN HIM FROM THE LEAGUE
— . (@FinsRuinedme) March 22, 2024
Bro thought blaming his gambling in his interpreter was really gonna work
— Chillbro | DGRS (@chillbro_72) March 22, 2024
Well the best record in baseball thing was fun for a game. Glad you got to see him in blue for at least a little. You still have the Bears @MikeCraig10 🤷🏼♂️
— Kenny Boatright Jr. (@boatright_jr) March 22, 2024
Fortunately for the Dodgers, MLB is expected to defer 97% of his suspension until 2034.
— Paul Todd (@ptodd62) March 22, 2024
Could Ippei have gambled his own money on a legal gambling app (besides baseball games obvs)? It being illegal gambling in Cali is a bad look all around
— Just Jen (@xoxojmo) March 22, 2024
Key word is MLB is investigating which means they need time to figure out what really happened so they can craft a believable story to clear Ohtani of all wrongdoing
— StraightTalkSports (@StraightTalkSp1) March 22, 2024
This is gunna the quickest, least efforted investigation in history
— IV (@IanVedder) March 22, 2024
Yes please, so the investigation can show that Ohtani is innocent and so all these other fan bases can eat it. Gonna be sweet 🫡
— Mark Kelevara (@HighFiveTheSky) March 22, 2024
If Ippei placed bets on any MLB game Shohei played in, Shohei is cooked. I just don't believe Shohei didn't know this was happening. If it were any other player, automatic ban or lengthy suspension.
— Chris Ojeda (@coo2373) March 22, 2024
I’m not saying he’s guilty, I’ve got no clue! This story is awfully fucking fishy though! Zero chance we ever know the truth. Zero chance Shohei faces any consequences for his actions. (If he’s indeed guilty.)
— JustMe (@mjmike2323) March 22, 2024
ESPN stating Shohei is not the target of the investigation, but still associated. With that clarification, I guess MLB will not be Trevor Bauering him. pic.twitter.com/GlEKzyLrA5
— AléAléAlé (@alealeale0001) March 22, 2024
