The Major League Baseball (MLB) began an investigation in relation to the illegal betting scandal involving the Japanese Shohei Ohtaniplayer of Los Angeles Dodgersand his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
The Dodgers fired Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s interpreter and friendafter the representatives of the Japanese star denounced that Ohtani had been the victim of a robbery, which would involve millions of dollars with a betting house involved.
“Major League Baseball (MLB) has been gathering information since we learned of the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara through the media,” the entity said in a statement.
The MLB reported that its Investigations Department began a formal process into what happened.
It is expected that MLB request interviews with all parties, including Ohtani and Mizuhara, Although officials cannot force the cooperation of Mizuhara because he no longer works in the major leagues.
The complex and murky matter arose when the West Hollywood law firm Berk and Brettler issued a statement on behalf of Ohtani after receiving media inquiries about a federal investigation into the alleged illegal bookmaker, in which Ohtani’s name came up.
“In responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are handing the matter over to authorities,” the law firm said.
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MLB begins investigation into scandal involving Japanese Shohei Othani and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara
Mas Sports Diary
It was reported that questions had been raised about “at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani’s account” to an associate of the investigated bookmaker.
Multiple sources, including Mizuhara, told him that Ohtani does not gamble and that the funds covered Mizuhara’s losses.
MLB’s betting policy prohibits “any player, umpire, club, or league official or employee” from betting on baseball or placing illegal bets on any other sport.
While sports betting has been legalized in most US states, online betting and retail sportsbooks remain illegal in California.
The 29-year-old Japanese star, who has been compared to a modern version of Babe Ruth, has become the international face of the league. He joined the Dodgers in December on a 10-year, $700 million contract after playing six seasons in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels.
2024-03-24 16:31:15
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