Shohei Ohtani is set to be officially cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation carried out by federal authorities into the gambling scandal that rocked the $700million Los Angeles Dodgers star.
According to TMZ Sports, Ohtani is a victim of fraud and his translator Ippei Mizuhara is going to be charged any day.
The New York Times, meanwhile, says Mizuhara is in negotiations to plead guilty – a move that would likely see him face a more lenient sentence.
He was fired by the Dodgers in March amid allegations he stole $4.5m to cover debts owed to illegal bookmakers. The investigation began soon after, around three weeks ago, and it now appears the the 29-year-old Japanese star is set to be fully exonerated.
The Times says that evidence has been uncovered to suggest Mizuhara stole more than the initial $4.5m from Ohtani that was first suspected and he had enough access to Ohtani’s bank account that he could remove alerts being sent to the baseball star about money being removed.
Shohei Ohtani is set to be officially cleared of any wrongdoing in his gambling investigation
Ohtani’s translator Ippei Mizuhara (left) is expected to be charged for theft from Ohtani
There are suggestions that Mizuhara stole more than the initially reported $4.5m from Ohtani – who he also worked with at the Angels – to cover illegal gambling debts
TMZ’s report on Wednesday night adds that Ohtani – a notoriously private figure – was not involved in any wrongdoing and never had any association with gambling or bookmaking.
Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in the baseball offseason for a record 10-year, $700million contract, has always denied doing anything wrong. He is yet to respond to Wednesday night’s developments.
Mizuhara had worked with Ohtani for years and been a constant presence with him in major league clubhouses. When Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels in December, the Dodgers also hired Mizuhara.
Mizuhara, who was still interpreting for Ohtani in Seoul, South Korea where the Dodgers went to start the 2024 MLB season, allegedly placed bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football.
Mizuhara initially claimed that Ohtani had wired the money to cover his debts.
Sports betting is still prohibited in the state of California and illegal bookmakers allow people to make bets on credit, whereas regulated sportsbooks demand payment up front.
Ohtani’s lawyers alerted Major League Baseball about the alleged theft and vowed to cooperate with any ensuing investigations.
Ohtani read a written statement to media on March 25, once he was back in the United States from his team’s season-opening games in South Korea against San Diego Padres.
Mizuhara is in talks over pleading guilty – a move that may result in a lenient sentence
Ohtani played for the Dodgers earlier on Wednesday in their 3-2 loss to Minnesota Twins
‘I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do that on my behalf. And I have never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports,’ Ohtani said.
‘Up until a couple of days ago, I didn’t know that this was happening. Just to kind of go over the result, in conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.’
Ohtani was in action for the Dodgers earlier on Wednesday – his team lost 3-2 to the Minnesota Twins. Ohtani went 1 for 3 with a walk.