Major League Baseball to probe Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter over theft allegations
Major League Baseball (MLB) has launched an official investigation into gambling allegations surrounding the interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani.
According to ESPN, Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the club last week amid accusations of stealing $4.5m from Ohtani to cover losses occurred as a result of bets placed with an alleged illegal gambling operation in Southern California.
Though Mizuhara has claimed Ohtani had no knowledge or involvement, and that no bets were placed on baseball, the MLB has opted to investigate the ongoing situation.
In a brief statement, the league said: “Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara from the news media.
“Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter.”
In a statement, the Dodgers said: “The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information. The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time.”
Per MLB rules, any player, umpire, club or league official who is found placing bets with illegal operators, or agents for illegal operators “shall be subject to such penalty as the commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct”.
Sports betting remains illegal in California. The earliest it could be legalized is 2026 after an initiative to decriminalise the vertical was withdrawn earlier this year.