The Dodgers terminate the employment of Shohei Ohtani's interpreter following accusations of significant embezzlement.

March 21, 2024

The Dodgers terminate the employment of Shohei Ohtani's interpreter following accusations of significant embezzlement.

The Los Angeles Dodgers terminated the employment of Shohei Ohtani's interpreter on Wednesday afternoon following inquiries regarding wire transfers totaling at least $4.5 million from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaking operation, which prompted a series of events.

According to multiple sources briefed on the matter, Ippei Mizuhara, a close friend and interpreter for Ohtani, incurred significant gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation currently under federal investigation. The chain of events leading to his dismissal began with reporters raising questions about the wire transfers.

Initially, a spokesperson for Ohtani informed ESPN that the baseball player had transferred the funds to settle Mizuhara's gambling debts. Subsequently, the spokesperson arranged for Mizuhara to provide a detailed account of events in a 90-minute interview with ESPN on Tuesday night. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story on Wednesday, the spokesperson disavowed Mizuhara's account and indicated that Ohtani's legal team would release a statement.

The statement issued by Berk Brettler LLP read, "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." The spokesperson declined further questions, and the statement did not identify the alleged perpetrator of the theft.

When questioned by ESPN on Wednesday afternoon about whether he had been accused of theft, Mizuhara stated he was unable to comment but did not specify by whom he was instructed.

These developments occurred as federal investigators examine the operations of Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. According to multiple sources and bank data reviewed by ESPN, the wire transfers were sent from Ohtani's account to an associate of Bowyer's. Multiple sources, including Mizuhara, asserted that Ohtani does not engage in gambling and that the transferred funds covered Mizuhara's losses.

Bank records reviewed by ESPN revealed two payments of $500,000 each sent from Ohtani's account in September and October.

Although sports betting is legal in nearly 40 states, it remains illegal in California. While government-regulated sportsbooks require bettors to pay upfront for wagers, illegal bookmakers accept bets on credit.

Sources familiar with the gambling operation informed ESPN that Bowyer dealt directly with Mizuhara, who placed bets on international soccer matches and other sports, excluding baseball, starting in 2021. A source mentioned that Bowyer was aware of the name associated with the wire transfers but chose not to raise any queries as long as payments were made. However, the source indicated that Bowyer allowed individuals to believe Ohtani was a client to enhance business prospects.

Bowyer's attorney, Diane Bass, informed ESPN that "Mr. Bowyer never met or spoke with Shohei Ohtani." She declined to comment further.

During an interview arranged by Ohtani's spokesperson on Tuesday, Ippei Mizuhara, 39, disclosed to ESPN that he had requested Ohtani, 29, to settle his gambling debt last year, which was reported to have exceeded $4.5 million according to multiple sources. Mizuhara stated that he had previously placed bets through DraftKings and believed that wagers placed through Bowyer were legal.

"Obviously, he [Ohtani] wasn't happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again," Mizuhara said. "He decided to pay it off for me.

"I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting. I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again."

However, Mizuhara reversed his stance on Wednesday afternoon, telling ESPN that Ohtani was unaware of his gambling debts and had not transferred money to Bowyer's associate.

Mizuhara and Ohtani share a close personal and professional relationship. Mizuhara has been Ohtani's interpreter since the star player moved to the United States in 2018, accompanying him in various settings including dugouts, locker rooms, player lounges, media appearances, and trips. Mizuhara is highly recognizable to baseball fans and is Ohtani's interpreter during meetings with team managers, coaches, and while reviewing scouting reports during games. The two are rarely apart, and Mizuhara has been seen running errands for Ohtani, carrying his water bottle, and being an ever-present companion. Mizuhara had a contract with the Los Angeles Angels when Ohtani played there and signed with the Dodgers this offseason. He confirmed to ESPN that he was compensated between $300,000 and $500,000 annually.

On Tuesday, Mizuhara stated that his bets were placed on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football, emphasizing that he never bet on baseball, which is strictly prohibited according to MLB regulations. Mizuhara indicated that he had been briefed on this rule during spring training.

Federal authorities were alerted to Ohtani's wire transfers in January as part of their investigation into Bowyer's bookmaking operation. ESPN reviewed wire-transfer data showing Ohtani's name alongside various banking details, with "Shohei Otani" listed as the sender of two $500,000 transactions, each labeled as a "loan."

The U.S. attorney's office in the Central District of California and an attorney for Bowyer's associate declined to comment on the matter. Neither Ohtani nor Mizuhara has been contacted by federal authorities, according to sources.

Bowyer, 48, may potentially face felony charges. Federal agents raided his home in October, seizing various items including cash, banking documents, computers, and luxury items such as watches and handbags.

Mizuhara informed ESPN that he met Bowyer at a poker game in San Diego in 2021 and began betting with him on credit later that year. Mizuhara estimated his losses exceeded $1 million by the end of 2022 and continued to escalate.

"I'm terrible [at gambling]. Never going to do it again. Never won any money," Mizuhara said. "I mean, I dug myself a hole and it kept on getting bigger, and it meant I had to bet bigger to get out of it and just kept on losing. It's like a snowball effect."

Following Ohtani's agreement to settle the debts, Mizuhara claimed that Ohtani supervised the wire transfers initiated from his computer over several months in installments, with the description field of the transactions marked as "loan."

"We had to add a description for the wire," Mizuhara explained. "I think Matt [Bowyer] might have told me to just put 'loan.' You had to put something."

When asked why Ohtani didn't simply give him the money instead of paying Bowyer's associate directly, Mizuhara said Ohtani was apprehensive about entrusting him with the funds.

"He didn't want me to gamble it away," Mizuhara said.

However, on Wednesday afternoon, Mizuhara retracted many of his previous statements, asserting that Ohtani was unaware of his gambling activities, debts, or efforts to repay them.

"Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I've done," he admitted. "I'm ready to face all the consequences."

Mizuhara stated that he did not have legal representation but was in the process of seeking it. He confirmed speaking with ESPN independently on Wednesday afternoon.

He reiterated that he had never bet on baseball.

The Dodgers are currently in South Korea for their season-opening series. Mizuhara was observed in the Dodgers' dugout during the game, and a team spokesperson disclosed that Mizuhara addressed the clubhouse after the game, accepting responsibility for his actions and acknowledging his gambling addiction.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined to comment on the situation but affirmed that Ohtani was preparing for the upcoming game. Will Ireton, performance operations manager, would assume Mizuhara's responsibilities for Ohtani for the time being.

Ohtani signed a landmark 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers in December, making him the highest-paid player in North American sports history, with the majority of the amount deferred until 2034-2043.

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