Shohei Ohtani will be officially cleared of any wrongdoing in federal authorities’ investigation into the $700 million Los Angeles Dodgers star’s $700 million betting scandal.
According sportsOhtani is the victim of fraud and his translator, Ippei Mizuhara, will be accused any day now.
He New York TimesMeanwhile, he says Mizuhara is in negotiations to plead guilty, a move that would likely face him a more lenient sentence.
He was fired by the Dodgers in March amid allegations that he stole $4.5 million to cover debts to illegal betting houses. The investigation began shortly after, about three weeks ago, and now it appears that the 29-year-old Japanese star will be completely exonerated.
The Times says evidence has been uncovered suggesting that Mizuhara stole more than the initial $4.5 million from Ohtani that was initially suspected and that he had enough access to Ohtani’s bank account to be able to delete alerts that were sent to the baseball star about withdrawing money.
Shohei Ohtani will officially be cleared of any wrongdoing in his gambling investigation
TMZ’s report from Wednesday night adds that Ohtani, a notoriously private figure, was not involved in any crime and never had any association with gambling or bookmakers.
Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in the baseball offseason for a record 10-year, $700 million contract, has always denied doing anything wrong. He has yet to respond to the events of Wednesday night.
Mizuhara had worked with Ohtani for years and had been a constant presence with him on Major League clubs. When Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels in December, the Dodgers also signed Mizuhara.
Mizuhara, who was still playing for Ohtani in Seoul, where the Dodgers went to start the 2024 MLB season, allegedly placed bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football.
Mizuhara initially claimed that Ohtani had transferred the money to cover his debts.
Sports betting is still prohibited in the state of California and illegal sportsbooks allow people to place bets on credit, while regulated sportsbooks require payment up front.
Ohtani’s attorneys alerted Major League Baseball about the alleged theft and promised to cooperate with any subsequent investigation.
Ohtani read a written statement to the media when he returned to the United States after his team’s season openers in South Korea.
‘I never bet on baseball or any other sport, nor did I ever ask anyone to do so on my behalf. And I’ve never gone to a sportsbook to bet on sports,” Ohtani said.
“Until a couple of days ago I didn’t know this was happening. Just to review the result, in conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and telling lies.’
Ohtani was in action for the Dodgers earlier Wednesday: his team lost 3-2 to the Minnesota Twins. Ohtani went 1 for 3 with a walk.
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