Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money from him and told lies. Ohtani held a news conference at Dodger Stadium, five days after Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million.
Quick Read
- Shohei Ohtani’s Statement: Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani held a press conference at Dodger Stadium to address allegations surrounding his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani declared he never bet on sports and accused Mizuhara of stealing money from him and spreading falsehoods.
- Mizuhara’s Dismissal: Mizuhara was terminated by the Dodgers following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged connections to an illegal bookmaker and significant debts exceeding $1 million.
- Ohtani’s Denial: Ohtani firmly denied any involvement in sports betting, stating he never engaged in or facilitated betting on baseball or any other sports, nor did he have any dealings with bookmakers.
- Financial and Legal Implications: The controversy involves significant financial transactions and has drawn the attention of the IRS, which confirmed an ongoing criminal investigation into Mizuhara and the alleged bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer.
- Changing Narratives: Mizuhara initially claimed Ohtani helped settle his gambling debts, a statement he later retracted, asserting Ohtani was unaware of the gambling activities and had not transferred money to bookmakers.
- Ohtani’s Response to the Crisis: Ohtani expressed his shock and disappointment over the betrayal by someone he trusted, highlighting the severity of the situation and Mizuhara’s alleged deception regarding communication with the media and the team.
The Associated Press has the story:
Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports, interpreter stole money, told lies
Newslooks- LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money from him and told lies. Ohtani held a news conference at Dodger Stadium, five days after Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million.
“I am very saddened and shocked someone whom I trusted has done this,” the Japanese star said sitting next to Will Ireton, the team’s manager of performance operations, who translated.
Ohtani spoke for nearly 12 minutes, referring to a document in front of him. He did not take questions. He wore a Dodgers blue sweatshirt and Dodgers cap.
“Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has been telling lies,” Ohtani said. “I never bet on sports or have willfully sent money to the bookmaker.”
A two-time MVP, Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels in December to sign a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.
“I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do it on my behalf and I have never gone through a bookmaker to bet on sports. and was never asked to assist betting payment for anyone else,” Ohtani said.
The IRS has confirmed that Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation through the agency’s Los Angeles Field Office.
Mizuhara told ESPN on March 19 that Ohtani paid his gambling debts at the interpreter’s request and the bets were on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering — even legally on baseball — and also ban betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.
ESPN said Mizuhara changed his story the following day, claiming Ohtani had no knowledge of the gambling debts and had not transferred any money to bookmakers.
“All of this has been a complete lie,” Ohtani said. “Ippei obviously basically didn’t tell me about the media inquiry. So Ippei has been telling everyone around that he has been communicating with me on this account to the media and my team and that hasn’t been true.”
Ohtani said he first became aware of Mizuhara’s gambling problem during a team meeting after last Wednesday’s opening with over San Diego in Seoul, South Korea.
