Is Shohei Ohtani’s fired translator Ippei Mizuhara being investigated for his alleged theft of $4.5 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star?
Ohtani’s representatives said last week that they informed law enforcement that their client was the victim of Mizuhara’s theft: ‘Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities.’
However, when contacted repeatedly by ESPN, Ohtani’s spokespeople refused to elaborate on their previous statement or share the specific agency they told about Mizuhara.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told ESPN that the agency was conducting a joint investigation with the IRS into Mizuhara, but did not elaborate further. It’s unclear if Mizuhara is being investigated for theft by the two federal agencies.
‘Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles and IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office are conducting a joint federal investigation into the matter,’ a spokesperson told ESPN in a statement, noting he was referring to the ‘overall investigation including Mizuhara’s role.’
Ohtani (right) and Mizuhara (left) are pictured last week before the translator was fired
It’s unclear how Ohtani’s claims against Mizuhara fit into those investigations, or if the allegations are even being considered by the IRS or DHS.
Both of those agencies as well as the US Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California have been investigating bookmaker Matthew Bowyer since at least October, sources told ESPN. It was that investigation that led to the revelation of at least $4.5 million in suspicious wire transfers between Ohtani’s account and Boyer’s alleged sportsbook.
Mizuhara was fired last week while the Dodgers were in the midst of the Seoul Series in South Korea against the San Diego Padres.
Ohtani spokespeople first told ESPN that the 29-year-old slugger was covering Mizuhara’s extensive gambling debts. Later, after ESPN spoke with Mizuhara about the allegations, Ohtani spokespeople disavowed the translator’s comments to the network, instead offering a statement from attorneys representing the two-time MVP.
Ohtani says he went through the first game in Seoul without any idea of the unfolding scandal
Since then, Major League Baseball has announced its own investigation into the matter, while Ohtani read a statement to reporters in which he repeated his spokespeople’s claims against Mizuhara, while denying that he ever violated MLB rules by betting on baseball.
‘Just on a personal note, I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I’ve trusted has done this,’ Ohtani began.
‘Obviously, today, there’s things that I’m limited in being able to talk about. I hope you understand. I do have a document in front of me that I will refer to that will detail what has happened.
‘I never bet on baseball or any other sports, or never have asked somebody to do it on my behalf, and I have never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports. Up until a couple of days ago, I didn’t know that this was happening. Just to go over the result. In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.’
Neither Mizuhara nor Ohtani have been charged with any crimes in the cases.