Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtani's Long-Time Interpreter Amidst Stealing and Gambling Allegation

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly fired Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, after Ohtani's representatives and attorneys accused Mizuhara of "massive theft" of the MLB star's funds to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker.

Said bookmaker is under federal investigation and the Los Angeles Times reported that two sources indicated the alleged theft involved "millions of dollars."

This is a massive allegation centered around one of sports' biggest global stars with the story breaking less than 24 hours after Ohtani made his debut with the Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani's Interpreted Accused of Stealing Millions for Illegal Gambling

According to the Times' report, Ohtani could not be reached for comment and Major League Baseball has not been contacted by prosecutors involved in the investigation.

Ohtani, one game into the 10-year, $700 million contract he signed with Los Angeles in the offseason, is currently with the Dodgers in Seoul, South Korea, the location of Wednesday morning's season opener.

MLB prohibits any player, umpire, club official or employee from engaging in sports betting or placing illegal bets on other sports. A specific punishment for gambling with an illegal bookmaker is not specified in MLB's rules, but rather left to the Commissioner's discretion.

The investigation involves the same prosecutorial team that's targeting an illegal gambling ring in Orange County, CA, during which ex-Dodger Yasiel Puig was charged before pleading not guilty. Mizuhara, originally from Japan, has been Ohtani's interpreter since 2017 when the star first signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

This is a major story involving the face of MLB and will rock the sports world in the coming days. The investigation is ongoing and we'll update you as more information becomes available.

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