{"id":5053,"date":"2024-03-21T12:44:49","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=5053"},"modified":"2024-03-27T12:20:13","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T12:20:13","slug":"ohtani-interpreter-fired-on-theft-allegation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/ohtani-interpreter-fired-on-theft-allegation","title":{"rendered":"Shohei Ohtani\u2019s Interpreter Fired on Allegations of $4.5 Million of Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Yesterday afternoon, the Los Angeles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/dodgers\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/dodgers\">Dodgers<\/a> fired Shohei Ohtani\u2019s interpreter after questions surrounding $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani\u2019s account to a bookmaking operation arose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Dodgers fired interpreter Ippei Mizuhara after Ohtani&#39;s lawyers accused Mizuhara of &quot;massive theft,&quot; via multiple reports. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/RgNvD35BJw\">pic.twitter.com\/RgNvD35BJw<\/a><\/p>&mdash; FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLBONFOX\/status\/1770573287510475246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 20, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 recent roster addition, Shohei Ohtani, is longtime friends with his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, as the two were with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013-2017, and Mizuhara followed Ohtani to the Los Angeles Angels to continue interpreting for the Japanese star.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Angels signed a contract with the interpreter when Ohtani joined the team in 2018, and this past offseason, the Dodgers signed Mizuhara for a contract between $300,000 to $500,000 annual salary following the recent addition of Ohtani on December 11, 2023.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 29-year-old became an unrestricted free agent on November 6, 2023, and immediately became the most sought-after player in the history of the MLB free agency period. After months of baseball fans speculating where the Japanese sensation would sign, Ohtani signed a lucrative 10-year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/shohei-ohtani-becomes-highest-paid-athlete\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4459\">$700 million contract<\/a> with the Los Angeles franchise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0r2w43tg0A\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0r2w43tg0A\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0r2w43tg0A\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by 365Scores (@365scores)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Before firing Mizuhara on Wednesday, the interpreter had gone back and forth with his story and what allegedly occurred. Initially, a spokesperson for Ohtani stated that the pitcher had transferred money to a bookmaking operation to cover his longtime friend\u2019s sports betting debts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 29-year-old\u2019s spokesperson set up a 90-minute interview with ESPN on Tuesday night, where Mizuhara could set the record straight and answer any imperative questions. Before publishing the interview yesterday, Ohtani\u2019s spokesperson intervened and stated that the Japanese sensation\u2019s lawyers would issue a statement in the interim.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the statement, Shohei\u2019s lawyers alleged that the Dodgers\u2019 star was a victim of massive theft and that the situation as a whole was being handed to the authorities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initially, Mizuhara had stated that Ohtani had made wire transfer payments on his interpreter\u2019s behalf to pay off betting debts to California bookmaker Matthew Bowyer. When asked why Ohtani did not transfer money directly to his interpreter to pay off the debt, Mizuhara stated that the 29-year-old was worried his friend would continue using the money for gambling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the past few days, multiple sources stated and reaffirmed that Shohei does not engage in gambling and that the wire transfers were solely to help pay off his friend\u2019s debt.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These allegations regarding Ohtani\u2019s $4.5 million in wire transfers arose after the federal government conducted an investigation into the Southern California bookmaking operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sports betting is legal in 38 states but remains illegal in California. Mizuhara stated he was unaware he was indulging in an unlawful activity as he was betting on international soccer, the NFL, college football, and the NBA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The interpreter knew it was illegal for him and all MLB players to bet on the MLB itself but was unaware he was engaging in an illegal bookmaking operation. Mizuhara acknowledged that he had bet through DraftKings before and believed Bowyer\u2019s bookmaking operation was legal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To bet on sports legally in the United States, government-regulated bookmakers require an upfront payment from betters, whereas illegal bookmaking operations allow betters to take a credit line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mizuhara stated that he began betting on games and continuously lost money, encouraging him to place larger bets with hopes of covering his debts. Instead, the interpreter continued to spiral down the rabbit hole, amassing a significant amount of debt.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mizuhara mentioned that Ohtani was displeased with his longtime friend but was willing to pay off the debt to ensure he no longer engages in illegal sports betting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Tuesday, the interpreter constantly reassured outlets that Ohtani was not involved in sports betting and that Mizuhara was unaware that he was engaging in an illegal operation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wednesday afternoon, Mizuhara retracted much of his story and stated that Ohtani had no knowledge of this illegal activity and that the Japanese sensation did not wire money to the bookmaking operation on behalf of his interpreter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When an ESPN reporter asked Ohtani about this illegal betting scheme, his attorneys stated that the MLB star was the victim of \u201cmassive theft.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Representatives of Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday accused his interpreter of engaging in a \u201cmassive theft\u201d of the player\u2019s funds to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker who is the target of a federal investigation.<br><br>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wX8yazPFAN\">https:\/\/t.co\/wX8yazPFAN<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ybPwNG9sTI\">pic.twitter.com\/ybPwNG9sTI<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Los Angeles Times (@latimes) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/latimes\/status\/1770567540688990340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 20, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>With the details of the situation still unfolding, the matter has been turned over to the authorities. Many details of the story do not add up, but perhaps much of what Mizuhara said was a cover-up for himself, and his longtime friend Ohtani is the victim of $4.5 million in theft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday afternoon, the Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani\u2019s interpreter after questions surrounding $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani\u2019s account to a bookmaking operation arose.&nbsp; The Dodgers fired interpreter Ippei Mizuhara after Ohtani&#39;s lawyers accused Mizuhara of &quot;massive theft,&quot; via multiple reports. pic.twitter.com\/RgNvD35BJw&mdash; FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 20, 2024 The Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":5101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[134],"tags":[1919,621,575,1730],"class_list":["post-5053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","tag-ippei-mizuhara","tag-los-angeles-angels","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-shohei-ohtani"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5053\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}