Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Fired by Dodgers
On Wednesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Dodgers terminated the interpreter for Shohei Ohtani. This decision came after inquiries arose regarding $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani’s account to a bookmaking operation.
Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s longtime friend and interpreter, got into gambling debt with a bookmaker under federal investigation. Initially, it was said that Ohtani transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s debt. But later, Ohtani’s lawyers claimed he was a victim of theft and handed the matter to authorities.
Mizuhara stated he couldn’t comment when asked if he was accused of theft. The wire transfers went to an associate of the bookmaker under investigation, although Ohtani reportedly doesn’t gamble and the funds were to cover Mizuhara’s losses.
The situation unfolded as federal investigators looked into the bookmaking operation. Mizuhara claimed Ohtani wasn’t aware of his debts. Mizuhara, who interpreted for Ohtani, admitted to placing bets on various sports but not baseball, which is prohibited by MLB rules when involving illegal bookmakers.
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Ohtani’s camp stated he had no knowledge of Mizuhara’s gambling activities or efforts to repay them. Mizuhara confessed his fault and struggles with gambling addiction. The Dodgers are handling the matter internally, with Mizuhara’s duties temporarily reassigned.
Ohtani, the highest-paid player in North American sports history, signed with the Dodgers recently. The bookmaking operation is under investigation by the same authorities handling a similar case involving former MLB players and personnel.
In summary, Mizuhara’s firing and the subsequent revelations highlight the complexities of gambling issues and their repercussions in professional sports, especially when involving high-profile players like Ohtani.
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