Mathew Bowyer, the bookmaker associated with Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter, has pleaded guilty to three charges affiliated with running an illegal sports betting operation.
Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, racked up an exorbitant sports betting debt to Bowyer, which the interpreter attempted to pay off using Ohtani's funds, prosecutors said. In all, Mizuhara is alleged to have stolen $16 million from Ohtani to pay off over $40 million in total sports betting losses.
Bowyer is said to have been affiliated with Wayne Nix, a former high-end bookie in Orange County and ex-minor league baseball player, who has also pled guilty to federal charges relating to running an illegal sports betting operation. Nix had booked for A-list sports celebrities such as Scottie Pippen, Maverick Carter and Yasiel Puig.
Bowyer admitted in court documents released Wednesday to operating an illegal gambling business, transactional money laundering and filing a false tax return.
Meanwhile, Mizuhara awaits sentencing in October after pleading guilty to bank and tax fraud.
In 2018, Mizuhara helped Ohtani open a bank account in Phoenix and received the login information for the account, prosecutors said. Mizuhara later changed the account information with his phone number and email so communication was funneled through him, prosecutors said. Then, using that account, prosecutors said Mizuhara embezzled Ohtani's money to cover his gambling debts to Bowyer.
Mizuhara wasn't just an interpreter to Ohtani — he was a crucial member of his entourage. Mizuhara would drive Ohtani to and from games, provide advice on career decisions and serve as his main point of contact throughout the baseball season. Mizuhara would sometimes even cook meals for Ohtani.
Mizuhara and Ohtani’s relationship dates back to when the two-way star was an 18-years-old 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 would be part of his transition.
Now, Mizuhara faces a lengthy prison sentence.
