Massive Baseball Gambling Scandal Is Brewing

On Wednesday, representatives of baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani, a standout player for the Dodgers, leveled accusations against his interpreter, alleging involvement in a significant misappropriation of the athlete’s funds for illicit betting activities linked to a federal investigation.

According to sources, Ohtani’s legal team brought forward these claims following inquiries from The Times, shedding light on the interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara’s, purported actions. The scale of the financial transactions involved is reported to be in the millions.

In response, the law firm Berk Brettler, representing Ohtani, issued a statement disclosing the discovery of what they described as a “massive theft,” expressing their intention to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities.

Efforts to contact Mizuhara were fruitless, and his legal representation, if any, remains unclear.

The sources disclosed that Mizuhara’s wagers were facilitated through Mathew Bowyer, an individual under federal scrutiny. Despite being relieved of his duties by the Dodgers, Mizuhara continued to interpret for Ohtani in Seoul on Wednesday, where the team is engaged in a season-opening series against the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani, currently unavailable for comment, finds himself embroiled in the unfolding saga while accompanying the Dodgers in Seoul.

Notably, Major League Baseball has not been approached by prosecutors regarding this matter.

Bowyer’s attorney, Diane Bass, asserts that her client had no interactions with Ohtani directly, casting doubt on any purported link between them.

The ongoing investigation into Bowyer aligns with broader efforts by federal authorities to dismantle illegal sports gambling operations, including the prosecution of several individuals, such as former Dodgers player Yasiel Puig, in connection to a multimillion-dollar scheme anchored in Orange County.

Allegations suggest that Bowyer may have exploited his purported connection to Ohtani for promotional purposes within his alleged bookmaking enterprise.

Following the publication of The Times’ report, ESPN disclosed conflicting accounts, indicating an unnamed spokesman for Ohtani initially suggested that the athlete was covering Mizuhara’s gambling debts. However, this version was later disavowed.

Mizuhara’s association with Ohtani traces back to his tenure as an English-language interpreter for American players on the Nippon-Ham Fighters, Ohtani’s former team in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. Their professional collaboration continued when Ohtani joined the Angels in 2017, with Mizuhara serving as his personal interpreter.

The symbiotic relationship between Ohtani and Mizuhara extended beyond professional realms, with Mizuhara often acting as a confidant and steadfast companion, accompanying Ohtani throughout his MLB journey.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Ohtani remains a revered figure in the baseball world, heralded for his exceptional talent and global appeal.

Meanwhile, Bowyer’s legal history includes a substantial judgment against him for defaulting on a line of credit issued by Foxwoods Resort Casino, as well as past legal disputes with other gambling establishments.