Tisha Thompson, ESPN
The sports world was rocked this week by news that Shohei Ohtani‘s longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, had been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But Mizuhara’s termination was only the latest sharp turn in a zigzagging, 48-hour journey that played out on two continents as ESPN reporters worked to answer questions about at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation. It’s unclear whether that twist will be the last.
Two days after the account from Ohtani’s handlers evolved from superstar-bailing-out-his-friend to allegations of “massive theft,” questions remain, including who, if anyone, is investigating the alleged theft. Ohtani’s representatives said Thursday they had officially submitted the allegation to law enforcement but did not say to which authorities.
Multiple sources told ESPN that neither the California Bureau of Investigation nor the FBI was working the case. Spokespersons with the Los Angeles Police Department and district attorney’s offices in Los Angeles and Orange counties all said they were not investigating, and they indicated it was most likely a federal matter. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California declined to comment.
Sources, including Mizuhara, have told ESPN that Ohtani does not gamble and that the funds were transferred to cover Mizuhara’s losses. Multiple sources also said none of the betting was on baseball.
How this came to unfold publicly started with a tip ESPN received several months ago that would be pursued by multiple reporters. Information was gathered over that time frame, but it wasn’t until late Sunday that ESPN had enough confirmation to, for the first time, ask questions to key figures, including Major League Baseball officials, Ohtani representatives, federal law enforcement, the Dodgers and others.
Rest is here…
