MLB opens investigation into Boston Red Sox Super Star accusations to address media
Boston Red Sox Super just began and he’s already at the center of a major scandal. His interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers after being accused of “massive theft” related to gambling, the Los Angeles Times reported.
On Friday, Major League Baseball announced it opened an investigation into the Dodgers star and the alleged theft committed by Mizuhara.
“Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the news media,” the statement read. “Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter.”
Lawyers for Ohtani claim the longtime friend of the Dodgers two-way phenom placed bets with Ohtani’s funds with an “allegedly illegal bookmaker who is the target of a federal investigation.”
Sources told ESPN that there was “at least” $4.5 million in wire transfers were sent from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation. MLB’s gambling policy doesn’t allow players, umpires, club or league officials or employees to place bets on games or other sports.
Sports betting is also illegal in California.
Initially, Mizuhara told ESPN that Ohtani agreed to pay off the gambling debts, but later told the outlet that the two-way phenom had nothing to do with it, and had no knowledge of what was going on.
It was reported Sunday that Ohtani said he’d address the media Monday. It will be the first public comments from the 29-year-old since the story broke.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday the scandal has not been a distraction in the clubhouse, and that the two have spoken over the last couple of days.
