350% or 5BTC + 150 Spins!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 350% + 150 Free Spins
Surprising charges of “massive theft” in illicit sports betting operations have been made against Ippei Mizuhara, the translator for baseball superstar Ohtani, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times.
The Los Angeles Times revealed today that Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s translator, has been charged by Ohtani’s attorneys with major theft through illegal sports betting activities.
The information was discovered accidentally when Ohtani’s name came up during an inquiry into Michael Bowyer, revealing his suspected participation in illegal gambling.
Sources cited by the Times indicated that “millions of dollars” were at stake, with federal agents conducting a raid on Bowyer’s residence in Orange County, California, last year, as part of the broader probe into illegal sports betting. Ohtani’s name emerged during this investigation.
According to ESPN, a staggering $4.5 million was transferred from Ohtani’s account to an illicit bookmaker’s account. Initially, Ohtani’s spokesperson claimed these transfers aimed to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debts, later denoting them as the result of a “massive theft.”
Bowyer’s attorney made it clear that her client had no contact with Ohtani directly and was not facing any criminal charges. Wayne Nix, a former minor league player, is allegedly involved in a larger illegal bookmaking network headquartered in Orange County, which may be connected to Bowyer through the ongoing inquiry.
Yasiel Puig, a former Los Angeles Dodger, entered a not guilty plea to charges related to unlawful sports betting. The Times was told by sources that Bowyer and translator Mizuhara had gambled on each other, though the details of the bets are yet unknown.
Ohtani signed a historic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the off-season. He is presently in Korea for a series against the San Diego Padres. A Dodgers official acknowledged to the Times that Mizuhara’s employment was terminated due to the claims made against him.