- MLB. Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's interpreter accused of embezzling funds to cover gambling debt
- MLB. Who is Ippei Mizuhara? Everything you need to know about Shohei Ohtani's troubled interpreter
The longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been fired following allegations of "massive theft" linked to gambling. Ohtani's legal team accused former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara of stealing millions of dollars and placing bets with a bookmaker under federal investigation. And it has also emerged that the case is part of the same sports betting investigation that regards ex-Los Angeles Dodgers star Yasiel Puig
"In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities," Ohtani's law firm, Berk Brettler LLP, told CNN.
Mizuhara denies involvement in MLB game betting and any connection to Ohtani. Mizuhara and Ohtani had worked together since 2013 in Japan before joining the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
"Obviously, he [Ohtani] wasn't happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again," Mizuhara said.
"He decided to pay it off for me."
"I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting. I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again."
Ohtani, a two-time American League MVP, recently signed a historic 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers. The team have confirmed Mizuhara's termination and are gathering further information.
Puig also involved
Cuban-American Yasiel Puig is also involved in the same investigation as the interpreter, according to CBS News.
The US Department of Justice claim that Puig amassed betting debts of 282,000 dollars, to which he has pleaded not guilty in 2022, although the case is still ongoing
"When given the opportunity to be truthful about his involvement with Nix's gambling businesses, Mr. Puig chose not to," said IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office Special Agent Tyler Hatcher.
"Mr. Puig's lies hindered the legal and procedural tasks of the investigators and prosecutors," he added.
A change of interpreter
Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts refused to address the allegations during a pregame press conference before Game 2 of the Seoul Series.
He announced that Will Ireton, the team's manager of performance operations, is temporarily interpreting for Shohei Ohtani. Ireton previously interpreted for teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto and worked with Kenta Maeda.