Shohei Ohtani MLB Probe: Ippei Mizuhara Gambling Scandal Revealed
The baseball world was rocked by scandal as news broke about a gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani, the star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, found himself at the center of controversy when his representatives accused Mizuhara of committing “massive theft” to pay off a reported $4.5 million in debts to an alleged illegal bookmaker under federal investigation. As more information emerges, the scope of the story continues to expand, leaving fans with many unanswered questions.
MLB Launches Investigation
In response to the allegations, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that its Department of Investigations had begun a formal process to investigate the matter. While the league’s statement did not directly implicate Ohtani in any wrongdoing, it is expected that they will delve deeper into the scandal while Ohtani’s camp pursues charges against Mizuhara. However, it remains unclear how much authority MLB will have in conducting the investigation. Mizuhara is no longer a league employee, so the league cannot compel him to participate in an interview. The federal authorities may also withhold information from MLB as their own investigation is just beginning.
Unlikely Administrative Leave for Ohtani
Unlike other investigations, MLB is unlikely to place Ohtani on administrative leave since he is not facing any allegations at this time. Mizuhara initially claimed that Ohtani approved the debt payments to an alleged bookmaker named Mathew Bowyer. However, these payments may have violated baseball’s rules, which prohibit employees from placing bets with illegal bookmakers. It is worth noting that sports betting is still illegal in California, along with 11 other states. Mizuhara has maintained that he never bet on baseball, as stated in both of his accounts provided to ESPN.
IRS Criminal Investigation
The scandal took a new turn when it was reported that the IRS has opened a criminal investigation into Mizuhara. The agency’s Los Angeles office is also investigating Bowyer, the alleged bookmaker. Mizuhara’s initial story portrayed Ohtani as a wealthy friend who intervened to help him settle his debts. However, the payments made by Ohtani may have violated the federal tax code, prompting the IRS to take action.
Scrutiny on Mizuhara’s Background
As Ohtani’s representatives pursue charges against Mizuhara, there has been increasing scrutiny on the interpreter’s background. Inconsistencies have been found in Mizuhara’s resume, raising questions about his credibility. Mizuhara claimed to have been born in Japan, attended high school in Los Angeles, and graduated from the University of California, Riverside. However, the university has no records of his attendance. Additionally, Mizuhara suggested that he acted as a translator for pitcher Hideki Okajima during the spring of 2012 with the New York Yankees. However, Okajima never attended camp with the club, and the Boston Red Sox disputed previous reports of Mizuhara interpreting for Okajima during his tenure with the team.
Ohtani Remains Silent
With the scandal unfolding, Ohtani has yet to address the situation publicly. The Dodgers have returned to Southern California for exhibition games against the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani’s former team. It is unlikely that there will be many questions about baseball as Ohtani has not engaged much with the press even before this scandal emerged. The Dodgers have taken measures to protect Ohtani from media attention, placing team officials in front of his locker to discourage reporters from approaching him after a game in Seoul, South Korea. When Ohtani does eventually speak to the media, he may choose not to answer questions due to the ongoing investigation.
New Interpreter for Ohtani
In light of the scandal, the Dodgers are expected to assign Will Ireton, the team’s manager of performance operations, as Ohtani’s new interpreter. Ireton previously served as the interpreter for former Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda from 2016 to 2019, making him a familiar face within the organization.
As the investigation unfolds, fans are left eagerly awaiting answers to the many questions surrounding Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara. The gambling scandal has cast a shadow over Ohtani’s career and raised concerns about the integrity of the sport. Only time will tell how this saga will conclude and what consequences, if any, will be faced by those involved.