Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter for Alleged ‘Massive Theft’ of Star’s Funds

The Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani’s Japanese interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, amid accusations from Ohtani’s lawyers that Mizuhara engaged in “massive theft,” The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

According to the report, Ohtani’s lawyers believe Mizuhara placed bets using millions of dollars in Ohtani’s funds with an allegedly illegal bookmaker. The lawyers learned that Ohtani had come up in the federal investigation into Mathew Bowyer, a Southern California bookmaker, and then looked into Mizuhara’s actions.

“In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities,” Berk Brettler LLP, a law firm in West Hollywood, told The Los Angeles Times in a statement.

ESPN’s Tisha Thompson reports that Mizuhara had been placing bets with Bowyer on international soccer matches and other sports since 2021. Additionally, Bowyer made people believe Ohtani was his client to grow his business. 

Mizuhara told ESPN that he assumed placing bets through Bowyer were legal. Sports gambling is still illegal in California.

Mizuhara had been Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, coming over from Japan with Ohtani and spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. When Ohtani signed with the Dodgers in the offseason, Mizuhara followed the superstar across town.