Ohtani is considered a victim in interpreter sports betting scandal

In a recent court filing dated April 11 in the US District Court for the Central District of California, IRS criminal investigator Chris Seymour disclosed alarming details regarding Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara reportedly illicitly transferred an astounding $16 million from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker over a span of 26 months.

As detailed in the affidavit, Mizuhara admitted to the severity of his actions through a text message to the bookmaker, stating, “Technically I did steal from him. It’s all over for me,” on the day the story first emerged.

Sources from the New York Times indicated that Mizuhara is currently in negotiations for a plea deal.

In legal documents, Ohtani is identified as “Victim A,” and during a press briefing, US Attorney Martin Estrada confirmed that “Mr. Ohtani is considered a victim in this case.” Major League Baseball (MLB) has subsequently released a statement asserting that the league will await the resolution of the criminal proceedings before determining whether further investigation is necessary.

Since the allegations surfaced on March 20, Ohtani—who secured baseball’s highest-ever contract during the off-season—has maintained that he was the victim of fraud. The recent court filing bolsters his claims, emphasizing his status as a victim in this unfolding saga.

Mizuhara’s Betting Amid a Broader Investigation

Mizuhara, who additionally served as Ohtani’s manager and was responsible for various logistical tasks, is scheduled to appear in court on April 12. As reported by ESPN, Mizuhara’s legal counsel has refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation.

This case is reportedly intertwined with a significant illegal bookmaking operation connected to ex-minor league baseball player Wayne Nix, which has drawn the attention of federal investigators. While Nix himself is not named in the affidavit, details point toward Mathew Bowyer, an Orange County-based bookmaker, who allegedly accepted Mizuhara’s bets.

According to Seymour’s affidavit, the investigation has already led to “criminal charges and/or convictions of 12 individuals and one money-service business,” with the inquiry still active.

The affidavit specifies that Mizuhara manipulated Ohtani’s banking information by changing the contact details to his cell phone number and email address. Furthermore, Mizuhara “falsely identified himself” to bank authorities and misled Ohtani’s financial advisors by claiming that Ohtani had restricted their access to his accounts.

Mizuhara was responsible for setting up the bank account that received Ohtani’s Los Angeles Angels salary, established back in 2018. He misappropriated funds from Ohtani’s account both to support his gambling activities and to address personal debts, while routing his gambling winnings into his own account.

Escalation of Gambling Habits

According to the affidavit, Mizuhara commenced his gambling activities in September 2021, rapidly accumulating substantial debt. Notably, his bets were placed on various sports but excluded baseball.

By November 2021, Mizuhara was already experiencing significant challenges in managing his financial obligations. Text messages in the affidavit reveal that he encountered multiple failed transactions, labeling the situation as “super stressing.”

Despite his mounting debts, the bookmaker continued to extend Mizuhara’s credit and offered incentives for continued play. In a bid to curb his financial recklessness, Mizuhara requested a reduction of his betting limit to $100,000 in March 2022, admitting that he would “get too reckless with 300.”

By November 2023, Mizuhara had conspicuously acknowledged the gravity of his situation, texting the bookmaker—who was demanding payment—that he had suffered considerable financial losses, not only in gambling but also in cryptocurrency investments. He sought to negotiate a settlement.

As outlined in the affidavit, Mizuhara placed an average of $12,800 per wager. His bet sizes varied dramatically, ranging from $10 to $160,000, aggregating to approximately 19,000 bets—an average of 25 bets daily. In total, Mizuhara engaged in $142.3 million in winning bets versus $182.9 million in losing bets, culminating in an alarming $40.7 million in debt.