MLB investigates gambling and theft claims against Ohtani’s interpreter
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has opened a formal investigation into illegal gambling and theft allegations involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara was let go from the team on Wednesday following reports about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and claims from Ohtani’s lawyer that the two-way Japanese star had been the victim of a “massive theft.”
“Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei [Mizuhara] from the news media,” the commissioner’s office said Friday. “Earlier today, our department of investigations began their formal process investigating the matter.”
Ohtani and the Dodgers were in Seoul, South Korea, for their opening series against the San Diego Padres when reports were published about alleged ties between 39-year-old Mizuhara and an illegal bookmaker.
The teams returned to the U.S. after Thursday night’s game and MLB did not make a public comment until announcing the investigation on Friday.
The United States’ Internal Revenue Service said Thursday that Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation through the agency’s Los Angeles office. IRS criminal investigation spokesman Scott Villiard said he could not provide additional details.
The Associated Press has been unable reach Mizuhara for comment. It is not clear if he has a lawyer. Mizuhara was with the team in South Korea up until his firing. It is not known if he left the country.
MLB established its department of investigations in 2008 following allegations in the 2007 report by former Senate majority leader George Mitchell into the use of performanceenhancing drugs in the sport.
The unit investigated three-time MVP Alex Rodriguez, who was suspended for the 2014 season for violations of the drug agreement and labour contract in connection with the Biogenesis investigation.
More recently, the unit probed Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, leading to a 194-game suspension in 2022 under the sport’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. A San Diego woman said Bauer beat and sexually abused her, an accusation the pitcher denied.
Ohtani is baseball’s bigger star, an unprecedented two-way player who has excelled at the plate and on the mound.