Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been charged with bank fraud after purportedly embezzling over $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player to settle a gambling debt.
Federal authorities have lodged a complaint against Mizuhara, alleging bank fraud, which carries a maximum fine of up to $1 million and/or up to 30 years in prison.
Now, a wild story has emerged that Ohtani was nearly approached by Mizuhara’s illegal bookmaker while walking his dog in Newport Beach, California, presumably to request money.
The near incident occurred in November 2023, prior to Ohtani’s joining the Dodgers.
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The suspected bookie’s name is Matthew Bowyer and Ohtani has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
The startling amounts of money that Mizuhara wagered were also revealed and are higher than previously believed.
Mizuhara made about 19,000 bets between December 2021 and January 2024.
More than $180 million was wagered by Mizuhara with a net loss of around $41 million, according to prosecutors.
There was no evidence of Mizuhara betting on baseball.
