Unanswered questions remain over allegations Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter stole millions from the baseball star after his representatives declined to give further details to ESPN.
Ippei Mizuhara is accused of wiring huge sums from Ohtani’s accounts to cover his debts with an illegal California bookmaker, a claim the player repeated in a press conference on Monday. Ohtani’s representatives said last week that “we are turning the matter over to the authorities”.
However, they have repeatedly declined to say which authorities they have reported the alleged theft to. When ESPN asked for proof of any criminal report on Tuesday, Ohtani’s representatives again declined to comment. The agencies likely to investigate any allegations around Mizuhara did not confirm to ESPN that they had received any report from Ohtani’s representatives.
The Department of Homeland Security said it was working with the IRS to look into Mizuhara, but did not say whether that was connected to the alleged theft. It also did not confirm whether it had been contacted by the Ohtani camp. The IRS has previously told ESPN that it is investigating Mizuhara and California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, but did not say whether it had been contacted by Ohtani’s representatives. Betting is legal in most US states but not in California.
Mizuhara initially said Ohtani had given him money to pay off his gambling debts. However, Ohtani’s lawyers then said Ohtani had been a victim of “massive theft” orchestrated by Mizuhara. In a subsequent interview with ESPN, Mizuhara said he had lied in his initial statement and that Ohtani knew nothing about the gambling debts. Mizuhara, who had been a close friend of Ohtani, was fired as his interpreter.
“Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies,” Ohtani said on Monday.
Mizuhara said last week that Ohtani did not place any bets himself. “I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting,” he said. MLB players face lifetime bans if they bet on their own teams.
The story has overshadowed MLB as it prepares for Opening Day on Thursday. Ohtani is baseball’s biggest star, and one of the most famous people in his native Japan. Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in December on a 10-year, $700m deal, and MLB expected the storyline of the season to be around one of the most talented baseball players in history joining one of the sport’s most famous clubs. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday that he believes Mizuhara’s departure will help Ohtani bond with his new team.
“Actually, I would argue that it’s going to help relations internally,” Roberts said. “Because there’s no longer a buffer. I think that I’ve already seen it the last couple of days. I think Shohei has been even more engaging with his teammates, and I think there’s only upside with that.”
Roberts added that he was glad Ohtani addressed the media on Monday.
“I think [Monday] was a big day, and we’re all looking forward to moving forward,” Roberts said. “But I do think it’s an opportunity for us to really support him from everywhere.”
Ohtani has gone 0 for 6 in three exhibition games since returning from the Dodgers’ recent trip to South Korea.