Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Fired Amid Massive Theft Allegations

This is an Opening Day that MLB fans won’t soon to forget. While the focus under normal circumstances would probably have been of Ohtani’s first at bat and hit for the Dodgers in the regular season. And the fact that Los Angeles won the first game of the year against the San Diego Padres over in Seoul, Korea, 5-2. However, attention has swiftly changed to another individual, and he’s not even a player on the Dodgers team. In an absolute shocking twist, Shohei Ohtani interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is fired amid massive theft allegations which numbers into the millions.

Crazy. How did this all begin? Where do you even start with this intriguing web of felonious financial thievery?

Well, to quickly catch you up. Here’s an overview of the recent events involving a rep for Shohei and his former interpreter. Former baseball player and sports television commentator, Dallas Braden reports,

“A rough timeline:

– Ohtani rep goes on record W/ESPN stating Ohtani transferred $4.5MM himself to bookmaker on behalf of Ippei.

– Spokesperson for Ohtani delivers Ippei to ESPN for statement. Ippei says Ohtani NEVER bet & felt bad for him & paid off his debt so he’d never do it again.

-Spokesperson for Ohtani says Ippei is lying after he gives his 90 minute statement to ESPN.

-Ohtani’s lawyers claim “massive theft”.

-Ippei then says Ohtani had zero knowledge of his debt or his gambling habit in general.

That about right?”

Yes Braden, that is pretty much on the money.

Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Fired Amid Massive Theft Allegations

Nonetheless, news of the interpreter’s removal and firing started as an ember and but then spread drastically like wildfire. Bill Shaikin of the LA Times breaks the news (at least on social media) due to some insider intel coming across his desk. He states,

“BREAKING: Shohei Ohtani’s attorneys accuse interpreter of ‘massive theft’ tied to alleged gambling. ‘The Dodgers on Wednesday fired Mizuhara, a team spokesman said.’”

Jon Heyman was also one of the initial sources to get the pot stirring. He adds and confirms,

“Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has indeed been fired by the Dodgers after Ohtani’s lawyers accused Mizuhara of stealing from Ohtani in relation to a gambling problem, as the LA Times reported. He has been Ohtani’s longtime interpreter. Yamamoto fortunately has his own interpreter.”

Wild. Then, Jeff Passan jumps into the ring, dropping the bomb about the massive amount of money involved; and that all of this news is coming on the heels of a different story as well as angle that was about to be told; yet fortunately, due to new developments and revelations; was not published. Passan reveals,

“[In a new article find] the latest on the firing of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter amid questions about the transfer of $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation under federal investigation.”

Passan then revealed a screenshot to an article by ESPN’s Tisha Thompson that delved into the bizarre twist of events.

Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Fired

So what was in the screenshot? From Thompson’s article we learn:

“Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuhara’s account and said Ohtani’s lawyers would issue a
statement.

‘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,’ read the statement from Berk Brettler LLP.

The spokesman declined to answer any further questions, and the statement did not specify
whom they believe perpetrated the alleged theft.”

Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Fired Amid Massive Theft Allegations- Summing It Up

So then, the matter is now in the hands of the authorities. There will be an investigation into who did what and exactly when. However, so far, things are not looking good for the one individual who decided to freely admit his gambling issues and the transactions of millions of dollars to ESPN. Every finger seems to point to the interpreter, and Ippei only.

Yet, how did Ippei come to have such a huge tab? Interpreters although extremely useful; normally do not make that kind of money. Even in sports.

However, we must remember, there’s not a lot of gambling institutions or entities that would turn down a guy who is close to someone making a lot of BANK and money. This is a mighty dollar driven world.

Nonetheless, Ippei’s habits seem to have began years ago. ESPN says,

“Mizuhara told ESPN he met [a man named] Bowyer at a San Diego poker game in 2021 and started betting with him on credit later that year. He estimated his losses mounted to more than $1 million by the end of 2022 and ballooned from there.”

Ippei Mizuhara and the Matthew Bowyer Connection

Unfortunately for Ippei, meeting Bowyer is what might seal his fate in the future. Matthew Bowyer is being investigated by the feds over his many activities. And that’s how the use of Shohei Ohtani’s own funds came to be uncovered.

Tisha Thompson once more reports:

“The developments this week came as federal investigators are examining the operation run by Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. The wire-transfer payments were sent from Ohtani’s account to an associate of Bowyer’s, according to multiple sources and bank data reviewed by ESPN. Multiple sources, including Mizuhara, told ESPN that Ohtani does not gamble, and that the funds covered Mizuhara’s losses.

ESPN had reviewed bank information showing Ohtani’s name on two $500,000 payments sent in September and October.

While sports betting is legal in nearly 40 states, it remains illegal in California. Government-regulated sportsbooks require bettors to pay up front for their wagers, while illegal bookmakers accept bets on credit.

Sources close to the gambling operation told ESPN that Bowyer dealt directly with Mizuhara, who placed bets on international soccer matches and other sports — but not baseball — starting in 2021. A source said Bowyer was aware of the name on the wire transfers but chose not to ask any questions as long as payments came in; however, the source said Bowyer allowed people to believe Ohtani was a client in order to boost business.”

Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Fired Amid Massive Theft Allegations -Ippei Speaks Out

Matthew Bowyers attorney is on record stating that her client has never actually spoken to Ohtani. Which only complicates matters for Bowyer, since so many lies have been told to a number of people. Especially, to prop up his ‘business.’

Furthermore, attorneys and lawyers are not the only ones talking. Mizuhara, though careful not to say anything he is not allowed to; did want to set the record straight about Ohtani and his gambling situation. Ippei says,

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. I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting. [So] 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.”

Apparently, Mizuhara had gone to Ohtani last year. To ask for help with his debts. The two are in fact (or at least were) friends for many years. Mizuhara says that he previously had placed bets via DraftKings. And as he stated, he also assumed bets placed through Bowyer were legal.

Ippei Mizuhara Relieved of Translating Duties With Shohei Ohtani

Nevertheless, it makes sense why people around Ohtani would want to step in and nip this situation in the bud expeditiously. Shohei’s brand, legacy and career could be at stake. A lot of Ohtani’s image is built around him being the smiling, nice guy who is extremely squeaky clean. Therefore, having him even remotely associated, or in close proximity of someone engaging in something “illegal” that may detract from or mar that projection; can simply not be tolerated.

Also, on the flip side; this is a good signal that Ohtani has really great lawyers and support around him. Shohei is young, and by all accounts, just a really great guy. Allowing someone to defraud Ohtani, would paint a target on his back; for one and all to come take advantage of the tall, walking ATM.

However, with the actions and course being taken; it’s setting a strong precedence. Ohtani and his fortune is not up for grabs. And it’s being closely monitored.

Ohtani Interpreter Fired

What will happen in the future? For one, a new interpreter for Ohtani. Also, the authorities will take things from here.

While this is not the start fans, Shohei or the Dodgers want for this season. It’s good to see that things are being handled properly, quickly and efficiently. No athlete should be in fear of losing the fortune they worked so hard to get. However, in this story a friendship was involved. So even with Ohtani getting to make a clean break due to this firing; it still may bother the guy in some manner since a bond of trust was broken.

Nonetheless, this story is one that is absolutely wild. But we hope that it gets settled for Ohtani’s sake and all of baseball. It’s a new season everyone, let’s play ball.

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