Heading into the Los Angeles Dodgers game today, Shohei Ohtani might finally have his former interpreter’s gambling scandal behind him thus allowing him to focus on baseball. However, new details are emerging on what might’ve been going on behind the scenes during the saga.
Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter, is negotiating a deal to plead guilty for purported theft as reported by the New York Times. As the ex-friend of the Dodgers’ star works with federal authorities on a plea deal with the investigation “rapidly nearing a conclusion”, more information is emerging on what happened during the years-long gambling scandal.
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Originally, Mizuhara faced accusations of stealing approximately $4.5 million from Ohtani to cover his own gambling debts that he accrued over multiple years. However, further investigation by federal authorities has led to allegations that Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani.
In a co-investigation involving the Department of Homeland Security, the .s. Attorney’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal division, a released federal affidavit filed on Thursday showed alleged text messages between Mizuhara and his bookmaker.
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Mizuhara, who worked with Ohtani since 2018, reportedly had direct access to the two-time AL MVP’s bank account for years and is alleged to have funneled millions of dollars out of it to cover his illegal gambling. In a text sent to his bookmaker when the scandal first broke, Mizuhara seemingly indicated he stole from Ohtani.
“Technically I did steal from him. It’s all over for me.”
Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, in a text to a bookmaker in 2024
As noted by CBS Sports, the U.S. Attorney’s Office obtained recordings of telephone calls where Mizuhara allegedly spoke to bank employees with claims that he was Ohtani. He provided them with background information to secure wire transfers out of Ohtani’s account.
Federal investigators announced Thursday that Mizuhara made approximately 19,000 wagers from December 2021 through January 2024, with wagers ranging from $10 to $160,000 per bet, according to the AP News. In total, Mizuhara is accused of winning bets totaling more than $142 million and losing around $183 million, with a net loss of more than $40 million.
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As highlighted by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, page 14 of the document provided by federal authorities shows a potential threat a bookmaker made against Ohtani for money Mizuhara owed.
“On or about November 17, 2023, BOOKMAKER 1 messaged MIZUHARA stating, ‘Hey Ippie, it’s 2 o’clock on Friday. I don’t know why you’re not returning my calls. I’m here in Newport Beach and I see [Victim A] walking his dog. I’m just gonna go up and talk to him and ask how I can get in touch with you since you’re not responding? Please call me back immediately.’”
Bookmaker’s alleged threat to Ippei Mizuhara against Victim A, believed to be Shohei Ohtani
With Mizuhara cooperating with federal authorities, more information will likely be provided in the weeks to come. Investigators made it clear there were no indications Ohtani was personally involved in the gambling nor did Mizuhara bet on baseball. Fortunately for MLB, its biggest star was seemingly not involved in one of the biggest sports gambling scandals in several years.
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