In a recent statement to the press, MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani vehemently denied any involvement in sports betting, in light of his personal interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, being outed for embezzling funds to fuel a gambling addiction. “I have never bet on baseball or any other sports or have asked anyone to do that for me,” Ohtani declared emphatically.
The shocking revelations come hot on the heels of last week’s news where Mizuhara’s illicit activities came to light. Ohtani, who was unaware of Mizuhara’s transgressions until a few days ago, expressed his disbelief and disappointment. “In conclusion Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has been telling lies,” he stated, while standing alongside a new interpreter without taking questions post-statement.
The pitcher and designated hitter, well-known for his lucrative 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers, was forthright in his responses during the press briefing. He condemned Mizuhara’s dishonesty, labeling him a liar and disclosing that the interpreter had kept a “media inquiry” into the gambling situation from him. Ohtani recounted how Mizuhara had misled his own representatives by falsely claiming that Ohtani had agreed to shoulder his gambling debts. “All of this has been a lie,” Ohtani said as he addressed the media.
Mizuhara’s confession took place at a meeting attended by Dodgers representatives and members of Ohtani’s legal team, which Mizuhara conveyed in English. Although not proficient in the language, Ohtani sensed something was wrong. Post-meeting, Ohtani took immediate action. “At that moment, it was an absurd thing that was happening and I called my representatives at that point,” he explained.
Ohtani described the wave of shock he felt upon the realization of his friend’s deceit. With the upcoming season fast approaching, he has decided to let his legal team manage the issue while he focuses on his recovery from elbow surgery and the game ahead. Showing little emotion during the press conference, Ohtani nonetheless conveyed a sense of betrayal. “I am beyond shocked, it’s hard to verbalize how I am feeling at this point,” he confessed.
The scandal reached public attention when The Los Angeles Times reported on March 20 that Mizuhara was accused of embezzling funds from Ohtani. Mizuhara’s actions were discovered during an investigation into a federal case involving an illegal sports betting ring headed by Wayne Nix, a former minor-league baseball player.
While initial reports from Ohtani’s lawyers suggested that the baseball star had settled Mizuhara’s gambling debts, the narrative shifted to identify the true nature of Mizuhara’s actions — theft. Major League Baseball and the Dodgers responded promptly by relieving Mizuhara of his duties, as he stands accused of pilfering millions to sustain his gambling addiction. ESPN has shed light on the sheer sum involved, reporting wire transfers totaling $4.5m from Ohtani’s account to an illicit bookmaking operation.
Later, on March 22, MLB publicly announced that it would conduct a formal investigation into the scandal. Although Mizuhara is no longer associated with the league or the Dodgers, and Ohtani isn’t under investigation, the league is taking a proactive stance. This review of illicit gambling follows charges against Yasiel Puig, a former Dodger, who has pleaded not guilty to illegal gambling charges related to the Nix case.
As the situation continues to unfold, the MLB community and fans alike are watching closely. Ohtani’s disassociation from the scandal coupled with the MLB’s stringent policies on illegal gambling and sports integrity mean that the investigation’s outcomes could have far-reaching implications for those involved and the sport itself.
