Shohei Ohtani reaffirmed his stance that his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money from his account in order to sports gamble.
“Up until that team meeting, I didn’t know that Ippei had a gambling addiction and was in debt," he said, through a different interpreter in a long awaited press conference on Monday. "And obviously I never agreed to pay off the debt or to make payments to the bookmaker."
Mizuhara began betting with alleged bookmaker Matthew Bowyer in 2021 and racked up $4.5 million in gambling debt, according to reports. Mizuhara told ESPN that Ohtani was willing to pay it off for him as a friend and that Ohtani was present when Mizuhara sent the wire transfers.
Mizuhara later retracted his statement, according to ESPN, and said Ohtani did not have any knowledge or involvement with his gambling debts. In a statement, Ohtani's lawyers said "Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities.” Mizuhara has since been fired by the Dodgers.
"Up until a couple days ago I didn’t even know that this was happening," Ohtani said.
Ohtani also reaffirmed his statement that he never placed any wager with this alleged bookmaker.
Bowyer is being investigated for his connections to a Southern California betting ring that has resulted in guilty pleas from former baseball player Wayne Nix and Scott Sibella, former president of Resorts World Las Vegas and MGM Grand.
Mizuhara lost the money wagering on college football, the NBA, the NFL and soccer matches.
After the change of story, Mizuhara affirmed that Ohtani was never involved in the operation.
Last Friday, MLB announced they had launched an investigation into the matter.
“Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the news media,” the statement read.” Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter.”
Mizuhara wasn't just an interpreter to Ohtani — he was a crucial member of his entourage. Mizuhara would drive him to and from games, provide advice on career decisions and serve as his main point of contact throughout the baseball season. Mizuhara — who grew up in neighboring Diamond Bar — would even sometimes cook meals for Ohtani.
Mizuhara and Ohtani’s relationship dates back to when the two-way star was 18-years-old as a rookie in Japan and blossomed into a nearly 12-year partnership.
When Ohtani decided to make the leap to MLB, he made it clear that Mizuhara be a part of his transition.
Now, on Monday, Ohtani said he was "very sad and shocked that someone who I trust has done this."
For more information and details regarding the scandal, read Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter’s Gambling Scandal Explained: What We Know, What We Don’t.
