Los Angeles Dodgers have terminated the contract of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close companion amidst accusations of involvement in illicit gambling and alleged theft from the Japanese baseball sensation. Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was dismissed from the team on Wednesday following reports from The Los Angeles Times and ESPN regarding his purported connections to an illegal bookmaker. This action comes as the Dodgers are currently in South Korea for Ohtani’s debut with the team.
A statement from law firm Berk Brettler LLP on Wednesday revealed that during the course of addressing recent media inquiries, it was uncovered that Ohtani had fallen victim to significant theft, prompting the matter to be handed over to the authorities.
Mizuhara, who has been alongside Ohtani for years and is a familiar presence in major league clubhouses, was also hired by the Dodgers when Ohtani joined the team in December with a lucrative $700 million, 10-year contract. While the team has yet to issue a statement, Major League Baseball has confirmed Mizuhara’s dismissal.
Ohtani’s global stardom continues to grow, despite his inclination towards maintaining a low profile in the media. The news of his recent marriage to Mamiko Tanaka came as a surprise to fans across Japan and the United States.
In an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, Mizuhara admitted to placing bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football. However, he stressed that he never wagered on baseball, as it violates MLB regulations which prohibit players and team staff from betting on baseball games, even through legal means, and also forbid gambling on other sports through illegal or offshore bookmakers.
Efforts to reach Mizuhara for comment on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
