The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Shohei Ohtani‘s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, amid allegations of a “massive theft” of millions, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.
Mizuhara, 39, a longtime friend of the two-time American League MVP, reportedly sent $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank account to a Southern California bookmaking operation currently under federal investigation. The interpreters firing came after reporters asked questions about the wire transfers.
A spokesperson for Ohtani claimed the baseball player transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debt. The spokesman would later disavow Mizuhara’s account of the incident and said Ohtani’s lawyers would prepare a statement.
“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.”
Ohtani’s spokesman declined additional questions regarding the incident and didn’t specify when they believe the alleged theft took place.
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