Ohtani to address gambling allegations

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani told reporters Sunday that he will answer questions regarding the theft and illegal gambling accusations against his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara on Monday.

Mizuhara was accused of “massive theft” on Wednesday by Ohtani’s lawyers after it was learned that at least $4.5 million of Ohtani’s money had been sent through wire transfers to a bookmaking operation under federal investigation. Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Major League Baseball announced Friday that it has opened an investigation into the allegations involving Ohtani and Mizuhara.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he approves of Ohtani’s decision to address the allegations.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Roberts said Sunday. “I’m happy he’s going to speak and speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it’ll give us all a little bit more clarity.”

When news first broke of the wire transfers, Ohtani’s lawyers said the Dodgers slugger had paid Mizuhara’s gambling debts but then accused him of making those transfers without Ohtani’s knowledge.

The IRS said Thursday that Mizuhara and the alleged illegal bookmaker,

Mathew Bowyer, are being investigated by the agency’s Los Angeles field office.

Mizuhara has been interpreting for Ohtani since the two-way superstar debuted with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017.

Ohtani signed a recordsetting 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers in December after batting .304 with an American League-leading 44 homers and 95 RBIs in 2023, when he earned his second AL MVP.