Mere hours after Shohei Ohtani made his Los Angeles Dodgers debut in a season-opening 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in South Korea, Ohtani’s attorneys have accused his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, of using the superstar’s funds to place bets with an illegal bookmaker, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday after coming over from the Los Angeles Angels with Ohtani this offseason.

The newspaper learned that Ohtani’s name had come up in the federal investigation of Mathew Bowyer, an Orange County resident. According to sources in the LA Times article, Mizuhara placed bets with Bowyer.

The investigation into Bowyer involves the same prosecutors targeting a multi-million illegal sports betting operation in Orange County centered on Wayne Nix.

Ippei Mizhuara not only became Shohei Ohtani’s closest friend since Ohtani came to the U.S., but was extremely well-liked by the Angels’ players and the Dodgers this spring.
He is now being accused by Ohtani’s attorneys of stealing millions of dollars from him, per the LA Times

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 20, 2024

Bowyer’s attorney, Diane Bass, said, “Mathew Bowyer never met, spoke with, or texted, or had contact in any way with Shohei Ohtani.”

MLB’s gambling policy prohibits any employee from betting on the game or making illegal bets on other sports.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available