Mar 26, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) chews on seeds in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels
(New York, NY) – The latest wrinkle in the Shohei Ohtani case? Well, it’s the question – is there a case?
According to ESPN, there’s no confirmation that a law enforcement agency is actually investigating the alleged theft of millions of dollars – from Ohtani, allegedly by his ex-interpreter.
ESPN contacted Ohtani’s representatives and asked who they submitted the allegations to, after Ohtani claimed his ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara had stolen $4.5 million from the MLB superstar’s account. The theft was purportedly done to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debts.
“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,” law firm Berk Brettler said in a statement last week after the revelation of the alleged illegal gambling.
The alleged bets were made with an illegal bookmaker in California. That same bookie reportedly told some people that his client was actually Ohtani, as opposed to Mizuhara. ESPN also filed that report.
For now, the only thing ESPN says it can confirm is that the Department of Homeland Security is working in concert with the IRS to investigate Mizuhara, the former interpreter – who was fired amid the allegations. It’s unclear if DHS or the IRS are investigating the alleged theft.
Ohtani did not provide much details Monday in his first public comments since the bombshell was reported.
He did not take questions, instead reading a statement.
“Up until a couple of days ago, I did not know this was happening,” Ohtani said. “In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.”
Ohtani said he only learned of Mizuhara’s debt during the opening two-game series last week in Seoul, South Korea, with Mizuhara revealing the details during a one-on-one talk.
“That was when I found out that he had a massive debt,” Ohtani said about the sit-down. “It was revealed to me during that meeting that Ippei admitted he was sending money using my account to the bookmaker. At that moment, it was an absurd thing that was happening and I contacted my representatives at that point. When I was finally able to talk to my representatives, that’s when my representatives found out that Ippei had been lying the whole time. That’s when I started contacting the Dodgers and my lawyers.
It’s been a bizarre story fraught with many questions – especially because Ohtani originally said he willingly covered Mizuhara after he fell behind on his payments to the bookie. But Ohtani then changed his account and said he was stolen from.
Neither Ohtani nor Mizuhara have been charged with any crimes.
