Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani accused his fired interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, of stealing money from his account, reiterating his lawyers’ explosive allegations in his first public comments amid the scandal.
Reading a pre-written statement Monday at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani said he learned of the alleged theft following Wednesday’s season-opening win in Seoul, describing Mizuhara’s claim that Ohtani agreed to pay off his massive gambling debts as “a complete lie.”
“I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do it on my behalf,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports.”
Mizuhara claimed to ESPN last Tuesday that Ohtani had agreed to cover his debts, reported to be at least $4.5 million, but insisted the Dodgers star “had zero involvement in betting.”
Before the interview was published, Ohtani’s lawyers released a statement claiming Ohtani was “the victim of a massive theft.”
Mizuhara, 39, then declined comment when ESPN asked if he had been accused of theft.
Money was reportedly wire-transferred from Ohtani’s account to an associate of Mathew Bowyer, whose California-based bookmaking operation is being investigated by federal officials.
Major League Baseball said it is investigating the situation.
The theft allegations surfaced during the Dodgers’ season-opening series in Seoul, overshadowing the Japanese-born Ohtani’s much-anticipated team debut. The Dodgers confirmed last week that Mizuhara had been fired.
Ohtani, a hitting-and-pitching sensation who won two American League MVPs during his six seasons with the Angels, joined the Dodgers in December on a historic 10-year, $700 million contract featuring heavily deferred money.
The 29-year-old Ohtani went 3-for-10 with two RBI during the two-game series in South Korea, which the Dodgers split with the San Diego Padres.
A SportsNet LA broadcast of Wednesday’s game showed Ohtani sharing a laugh with Mizuhara during the ninth inning of an eventual Dodgers win. The theft allegations emerged later that day.
Ohtani then declined to comment after Thursday’s game, with Dodgers staffers standing near his locker at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome.
On Sunday, Ohtani informed reporters at Dodger Stadium that he planned to speak on Monday.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday. “I’m happy he’s going to speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity.”
The notoriously private Ohtani rarely addresses the media. His dog’s name became the source of widespread speculation during his ultra-secretive free agency, during which he and his agent reportedly urged suitors not to discuss their candidacies. Earlier this month, Ohtani revealed he had quietly gotten married.
