Ohtani's interpreter fired amid allegations of 'massive theft'

Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has been fired by the team following allegations that he committed "massive theft" from the player to pay off gambling debts, according to multiple news outlets.

Ohtani's attorneys told the Los Angeles Times that Mizuhara used the ballplayer's money to pay off an alleged illegal bookmaker, who is reportedly under federal investigation.

ESPN reported that at least $4.5 million was transferred from Ohtani's account to a gambling operation in Southern California.

"In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities," law firm Berk Brettler LLP said in a statement.

Mizuhara, Ohtani's longtime friend who traveled to Seoul with the Dodgers for the MLB season opener, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, he initially stated that Ohtani had agreed to pay his gambling debts.

A day later, he told the sports broadcaster that Ohtani was unaware of the gambling debts and had not transferred funds to the bookmaker's associate.

"Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I've done," Mizuhara told ESPN on Wednesday. "I'm ready to face all the consequences."

Mizuhara told ESPN that his bets were on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football, but never baseball.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers confirmed to Reuters that Mizuhara had been fired.

"The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information," a spokesperson for the team said.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined to comment on the case during a news conference in Seoul on Thursday, but did confirm that Ohtani would play in the second game against the San Diego Padres as planned.

The Padres defeated the Dodgers 15-11 after losing 5-2 the day before, and when asked about the aftermath of Mizuhara's dismissal, Roberts said it was "business as normal."

Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who gave up five runs on four hits in the first inning, said it was not a distraction.

"Everyone is just like focusing on the game to make the game a winner," Yamamoto, making his MLB debut after signing a $325-million, 12-year contract in December, told reporters.

Mizuhara moved to California alongside Ohtani when he joined the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. The Dodgers hired Mizuhara after two-time AL MVP Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the team in the offseason.

Ohtani had two hits and an RBI in the Dodgers' 5-2 season-opening victory over the Padres in Seoul on Wednesday.

SportsLigue