Mookie Betts Says Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal Not A Distraction
Thursday, 28 March 2024 Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts tells TMZ Sports despite all of the recent drama surrounding Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter ... L.A. is absolutely locked in on the 2024 season. Betts made it clear to us while out at a charity appearance at…
Ex-Ohtani Interpreter , Likely to Face Federal Charges, Sources Say.
NBC reports that Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter
may face federal charges in connection with a
gambling investigation into a California bookie. .
According to sources, Ohtani has
been assisting with the investigation.
The news from NBC follows a similar report by TMZ
that Ippei Mizuhara, the former Ohtani interpreter,
will be facing charges by federal authorities.
On March 21, Mizuhara was fired by the L.A. Dodgers
after attorneys representing Ohtani alleged
"massive theft" had occurred related to sports gambling.
On March 21, Mizuhara was fired by the L.A. Dodgers
after attorneys representing Ohtani alleged
"massive theft" had occurred related to sports gambling.
In response, Major League Baseball , opened an investigation. .
On March 25, Ohtani made his first public comments on
the matter, saying that he had been betrayed and lied to,
while denying any involvement in gambling.
I’m very saddened and
shocked that someone
who I trusted has done this, Shohei Ohtani, via NBC.
Ippei has been stealing
money from my account
and has told lies, Shohei Ohtani, via NBC.
NBC reports that Mizuhara is both Ohtani's
interpreter and long-time friend who has had
a constant presence beside the baseball phenom.
The scandal, involving over $4.5 million in wire transfers
from Ohtani's account, was brought to light
following reports by ESPN and the 'Los Angeles Times.'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Fired , Amid Allegations of ‘Massive Theft’.
Ippei Mizuhara, the Dodgers' interpreter for Ohtani, was fired on March 20, ESPN reports. .
Ippei Mizuhara, the Dodgers' interpreter for Ohtani, was fired on March 20, ESPN reports. .
Mizuhara, a longtime friend of Ohtani, allegedly wired at least $4.5 million to a bookmaking operation in Southern
California to cover his gambling debts.
At first, a spokesman for Ohtani and Mizuhara
said that the baseball star purposefully transferred the funds to pay his friend's gambling debt.
At first, a spokesman for Ohtani and Mizuhara
said that the baseball star purposefully transferred the funds to pay his friend's gambling debt.
I dug myself a hole and it kept on
getting bigger, and it meant I had to
bet bigger to get out of it and just kept
on losing. It's like a snowball effect, Ippei Mizuhara, to ESPN.
Obviously, he [Ohtani] wasn't happy
about it and said he would help me
out to make sure I never do this again.
He decided to pay it off for me. , Ippei Mizuhara, to ESPN.
I want everyone to know Shohei had
zero involvement in betting. I want people
to know I did not know this was illegal.
I learned my lesson the hard way.
I will never do sports betting ever again, Ippei Mizuhara, to ESPN.
Later, both the spokesperson and
Mizuhara walked back their claims.
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, Berk Brettler LLP, via statement.
Obviously, this is all my fault,
everything I've done. I'm ready
to face all the consequences, Ippei Mizuhara, via statement.
Southern California bookmaker
Mathew Bowyer, whom the wire transfers
were sent to, is also being investigated.
Sports betting is currently illegal in California
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Sonny Vaccaro says he believes Caitlin Clark could have gotten a much better deal from Nike -- telling TMZ Sports he's sure the former Iowa superstar could've.. TMZ.com
Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney II ... coming soon to a ring near you?! Maybe, according to Haney's promoter, Eddie Hearn ... who tells TMZ Sports he hopes the two.. TMZ.com
Kelly Oubre Jr. lost a playoff game Monday night and then he lost his beloved car ... TMZ Sports has learned he wrecked his Lamborghini in a crash just hours.. TMZ.com
Cops are continuing to make headway in their investigation into Nikola Jokic's brother ... telling TMZ Sports they've located the man who Strahinja Jokic punched.. TMZ.com
Fantasy Football nerds, listen up ... Jake Plummer says he's expecting a monster year from Justin Herbert -- telling TMZ Sports he thinks Jim Harbaugh will get.. TMZ.com
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has MLB dealing with a sports betting scandal to start the season after Ohtani’s interpreter was fired for gambling payments made with Ohtani’s money.
From the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal to NCAA March Madness kicking off, Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg shares insights into some of the top stories trending on SI.com.