MLB Launches Probe into Shohei Ohtani Translator Scandal

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 Major League Baseball announced Friday it is formalizing its investigation into allegations involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, days after Mizuhara was accused of conducting a “massive theft” of Ohtani’s funds and later fired by the Dodgers.


 The MLB announced the formalized probe in a brief statement Friday evening, saying it’s been gathering information since it learned about the allegations through news reports.

The MLB’s Department of Investigations will be conducting the probe, according to the statement.

The start of the probe comes a day after Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers following accusations from Ohtani’s representatives accusing him of stealing the star player’s money to place sports bets—an illegal form of gambling in California.

Ohtani is the highest-paid player in the MLB after securing a $700 million deal with the Dodgers three months ago.

The MLB Department of Investigations and attorneys for Ohtani didn’t immediately respond to our request for comment.

It is unclear what kind of resources the MLB is allocating for the investigation into the high-profile scandal. The league also didn’t share a timeline for the probe.

Mizuhara was accused of placing bets with Ohtani’s money through an alleged bookie named Matthew Bowyer, who is under federal investigation. At least $4.5 million in wire transfers was removed from Ohtani’s bank account in the scheme, according to ESPN, which was told by Mizuhara that he dug himself in a hole while gambling. The interpreter also told ESPN he racked up $4 million worth of gambling debt and that Ohtani agreed to pay it off, later recanting the statement and claiming Ohtani was unaware of his gambling debts. At the age of just 29, Ohtani is considered one of the greatest MLB players of all time, a reputation built by his dual-threat proficiency as a top pitcher and hitter—an unheard of feat in modern baseball.


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