The interpreter and close friend of Shohei Ohtani was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft against the Japanese baseball star.
Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, 39, was fired on March 20.
“The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated,” the Dodgers said in a statement.
Ohtani made his Dodgers debut in Seoul, South Korea, earlier in the day, and Mizuhara was in the Los Angeles dugout during the Dodgers’ season-opening victory.
Sports betting is illegal in California, although other states allow it in one form or another.
MLB policy also prohibits players and team employees from betting on baseball and engaging in illegal betting on other sports.
Mizuhara has been Ohtani’s interpreter since the latter arrived in the United States in 2017. In December, when Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels to sign a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, the club also hired Mizuhara.
According to ESPNMizuhara said on March 19 that Ohtani had paid his gambling debts at the performer’s request.
But a statement released by law firm Berk Brettler LLP said: “In responding to recent media inquiries, we have discovered that Shohei was the victim of a massive theft and are referring the matter to authorities.”
After Ohtani’s lawyers said the player was robbed, Mizuhara changed his story, saying Ohtani was unaware of his debts and did not transfer money to bookmakers.
Mizuhara said he incurred debts of more than $1 million by the end of 2022 and his losses mounted from there.
Ohtani’s fame has spread around the world, and news of his recent marriage to Mamiko Tanaka surprised fans in Japan and the United States. He had surgery on his right elbow last September and will not pitch this season, but will be used as a designated hitter.
His first game with the Dodgers was against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, which the Dodgers won 5-2.
2024-03-23 14:12:16
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