Former interpreter of Shohei Ohtani in talks to plead guilty in response to theft accusations, reports New York Times.

April 11, 2024

Former interpreter of Shohei Ohtani in talks to plead guilty in response to theft accusations, reports New York Times.

According to The New York Times, a former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani is reportedly in discussions to plead guilty to federal charges linked to allegations of embezzling millions from Ohtani and using the funds for gambling. Ippei Mizuhara, who was terminated last month after Ohtani's legal team accused him of stealing from the athlete and placing bets with a bookmaker currently under federal scrutiny, is at the center of the investigation.

Ohtani subsequently claimed that Mizuhara pilfered money from one of his bank accounts. Prosecutors now suspect that Mizuhara may have taken more than the initial $4.5 million he was accused of embezzling, as per three individuals familiar with the situation cited by The New York Times.

According to the same sources, law enforcement officials have gathered evidence suggesting that Mizuhara had the ability to alter settings on Ohtani's bank accounts, potentially blocking alerts and confirmations of transactions. Despite the allegations, Ohtani has vehemently denied any involvement in the scandal.

Michael Freedman, an attorney representing Mizuhara, declined to provide any comment when approached by CNN on Wednesday.

During the Los Angeles Dodgers' MLB season-opening series in South Korea back in March, allegations surfaced, with both ESPN and the Los Angeles Times reporting that Shohei Ohtani's lawyers accused his former interpreter, Mizuhara, of embezzling millions of dollars and placing bets with a bookmaker under federal investigation. Mizuhara was subsequently dismissed from his position while the team was in Seoul.

Ohtani, who recently signed the most lucrative contract in baseball history with the Dodgers, vehemently denied the accusations of betting on sports or engaging with a bookmaker during a news conference at Dodger Stadium on March 25. He also elaborated on his lawyers' claims that Mizuhara stole money from him, alleging that Mizuhara accessed one of his bank accounts without authorization.

Expressing his shock and disappointment, Ohtani, Major League Baseball's only two-way player and a two-time MVP, stated that he was unaware of the unauthorized transactions until he discovered them during the South Korea trip, prompting a one-on-one meeting with Mizuhara.

Amidst the unfolding scandal, ESPN's Tisha Thompson, citing multiple sources, revealed on CNN's "The Lead" that at least $4.5 million was withdrawn from Ohtani's bank accounts via wire transfers, though the origins of these transfers remained unclear.

The controversy has sparked renewed attention on the relationship between professional sports and gambling. Both the Internal Revenue Service and Major League Baseball are investigating the matter, with the league probing potential breaches of its strict anti-gambling regulations. Violating these rules could result in significant penalties, including lengthy suspensions or even a lifetime ban from the sport.

Rule 21, which prohibits players and employees from gambling on baseball, is considered so pivotal that MLB mandates its display in every clubhouse. Despite this, Mizuhara maintained in an interview with ESPN that he never gambled on baseball and was fully aware of the rule.

Ohtani, known for his exceptional skills as both a pitcher and designated hitter, recently signed an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers after earning two American League MVP awards during his tenure with the Angels.

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Former interpreter of Shohei Ohtani in talks to plead guilty in response to theft accusations, reports New York Times.

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