The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend after the player’s attorneys alleged “massive theft” from the Japanese baseball star in a case tied to sports gambling.
The Dodgers said in a statement Wednesday that Ippei Mizuhara — who has been a constant presence at Ohtani’s side since the two-way star’s move to the U.S. — was no longer working with the team.
“The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information. The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time,” the statement said. It followed reports from The Los Angeles Times and ESPN.
Attorneys for Ohtani at the law firm Berk Brettler LLP said in a statement: “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.”
ESPN reported Wednesday night, citing multiple unnamed sources, that Mizuhara’s firing came after media questions about his alleged ties to illegal gambling. ESPN reported that the allegations centered on wire transfers from Ohtani’s account worth at least $4.5 million, allegedly paid to a bookmaking operation in Southern California that is under federal investigation.
NBC News has not independently confirmed those details.
