1 year ago

Is Shohei Ohtani another Pete Rose? Dodgers star may be in legal trouble if he paid gambling debt

LA Times

Left: Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani gestures during a game against the San Diego Padres in Seoul on Wednesday. His representatives accused his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, of engaging in a “massive theft” of Ohtani’s money allegedly used to pay off millions in gambling debts Mizuhara owed to a bookmaker. Ohtani’s representatives muddied the waters by making Mizuhara available for a telephone interview Tuesday with ESPN during which Mizuhara said Ohtani paid his gambling debts by making wire transfers to a bookmaker. During the interview that ESPN reported as lasting 90 minutes, Mizuhara said, “I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting.” Ohtani, however, might have broken the law if he paid Mizuhara’s gambling debt, according to I. Nelson Rose, a gambling law scholar and professor emeritus at Whittier College. As for gambling, Rule 21 has three parts: 1) Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.

Gambling Legal Baseball Umpire California Sports Betting Dodgers League Player Pete Rose Ohtani Illegal Shohei Ohtani Shohei Mizuhara Rose Pete Shall Gambling Debt Club Or League league umpire star ohtani illegal shall mizuhara dodgers trouble rose pete paid player legal shohei baseball gambling

History of this topic

3 weeks, 6 days ago

Trump lashes out at Major League Baseball in overnight rant announcing pardon of Pete Rose

Raw Story

Taking a break from attacking Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky after an ugly scene in the Oval Office on Friday that shocked the world, Donald Trump, seemingly out of nowhere, lashed at Major League Baseball in an overnight rant on Truth Social. To go along with his pardons of the rioters who participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, …

Things to know about the sports betting case against the ex-interpreter for baseball's Shohei Ohtani

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mizuhara pleaded guilty last year to federal charges …

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter is sentenced to nearly 5 years in sports betting case

Associated Press

SANTA ANA, Calif. — The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani was sentenced Thursday to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally told reporters outside court that Mizuhara took advantage of Ohtani’s vulnerability as a non-English …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter to appear in court for sentencing in betting case

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The former interpreter for …

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg’s firing puts him on a growing list of sports betting scandals

Trending News

1 month, 3 weeks ago

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg’s firing puts him on a growing list of sports betting scandals

Associated Press

Umpire Pat Hoberg is the latest professional sports figure caught in a betting scandal. Here is a glance at other betting scandals involving professional sports: — In 1920, a Chicago grand jury indicted eight members of the Chicago White Sox on charges of fixing the 1919 World Series, which became known as the “Black Sox Scandal.” White Sox owner Charles …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

MLB fires umpire Pat Hoberg for sharing sports gambling accounts with friend

LA Times

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg walks on the field during a game between the Baltimore Orioles and Angels in May 2023. Umpire Pat Hoberg was fired by Major League Baseball on Monday for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who bet on baseball games and for intentionally deleting electronic messages pertinent to the league’s investigation. Though MLB said …

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of baseball cards from his ex-interpreter

Trending News

4 months ago

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of baseball cards from his ex-interpreter

Associated Press

Baseball star Shohei Ohtani wants his former interpreter to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards he says were fraudulently bought using his money. The Los Angeles Dodgers star is also requesting Ippei Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from the unsuspecting athlete, return signed collectible baseball …

4 months ago

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of baseball cards from ex-interpreter

LA Times

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, is seeking $325,000 worth of baseball cards former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, left, bought using Ohtani’s money. Baseball star Shohei Ohtani wants his former interpreter to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of baseball cards he says were fraudulently bought using his money. The Dodgers star is also requesting that Ippei Mizuhara, who previously …

5 months, 1 week ago

Shohei Ohtani: The face of baseball shrugging off a betting scandal to keep making history

The Independent

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

5 months, 3 weeks ago

Pete Rose found home in Las Vegas before nation began to embrace sports betting

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Betting on baseball got Pete Rose banned from the game, never to return while he was alive. In choosing to live in Las Vegas, before the sport’s career hits leader died Monday at 83, the man known as Charlie Hustle for his relentless play on the basepaths picked a city that embraced legalized sports betting long before …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

With more gambling cases likely, Ohtani debacle is a lesson to MLB

LA Times

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, right, and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, leave after a news conference ahead of a workout in South Korea on March 16. Both the Dodgers and MLB have remained mostly silent about their actions during the days before The Times broke the story about Ohtani’s name surfacing in the federal probe and the theft allegations against …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

California bookie pleads guilty to running illegal gambling business used by ex-Ohtani interpreter

Associated Press

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty Friday to running an illegal gambling business. According to prosecutors, Bowyer ran an illegal gambling business for at least five years in Southern California and Las Vegas, and he took wagers from more than 700 …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Bookmaker to plead guilty in gambling case tied to baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business, U.S. authorities announced Thursday. Mathew Bowyer’s business operated for at least five years in Southern California and Las Vegas and took wagers from more than 700 bettors, including …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Top MLB umpire punished for breaking gambling rules as sport faces next betting scandal in the wake of Shohei Ohtani interpreter drama

Daily Mail

Major League Baseball umpire Pat Hoberg has reportedly been disciplined for violating the league's gambling rules. MLB umpire Pat Hoberg has been disciplined by the league for violating its gambling rules Hoberg had worked last season, but has not appeared in any Major League Baseball games in 2024. Hoberg, 37, is considered one of the league's best umpires and even …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani formally cleared by MLB of any involvement in gambling

LA Times

The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani stands in the dugout during the second inning of a game against the Reds on May 24. “Based on the thoroughness of the federal investigation that was made public, the information MLB collected, and the criminal proceeding being resolved without being contested, MLB considers Shohei Ohtani a victim of fraud,” the statement read, “and this matter …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

MLB player Tucupita Marcano faces possible lifetime ban for alleged baseball bets, AP source says

Associated Press

NEW YORK — San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is under investigation by Major League Baseball for allegedly betting on baseball and could be subject to a lifetime ban, according to a person familiar with the probe. Major League Rule 21, posted in every clubhouse, states betting on any baseball game in which a player, umpire, league official or team …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits longest home run at Oracle Park in nearly two years

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Shohei Ohtani really wanted a splash hit into San Francisco’s McCovey Cove, and he came oh so close Tuesday night. Ohtani’s 446-foot drive for the Dodgers during a 10-2 win against the Giants landed above the brick facade in right-center for the longest home run at Oracle Park in nearly two years — since Christian Walker connected …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

TV series based on Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal in the works at Lionsgate

LA Times

Lionsgate Television is developing a scripted series based on the real-life gambling scandal involving Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter. The series will be produced by Tony Award winner Scott Delman, known for “The Book of Mormon” and “A Raisin in the Sun,” and sports journalist Albert Chen, Santa Monica-based Lionsgate said Thursday. “This is Major League Baseball’s biggest sports gambling …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The former interpreter for Los …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani hits record-equaling 175th MLB home run vs. Padres... just hours after his ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was in court over claims he stole $16MILLION from Dodgers star

Daily Mail

Shohei Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui's home-run record vs. the Padres on Friday Shohei Ohtani hit a record-equaling 175th home run in Major League Baseball on Friday night - just hours after his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara appeared in court over allegations he stole $16million from the Dodgers star. Ohtani tied Hideki Matsui for the most homers by a Japan-born player …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, must get gambling addiction treatment, judge says

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s former longtime interpreter agreed Friday to undergo court-ordered gambling addiction treatment after federal prosecutors accused him of stealing $16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts. From the field at Dodger Stadium hours after Friday’s proceeding, Ohtani said he was “very grateful” for the investigation and would focus …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge in sports betting case orders ex-interpreter for Ohtani to get gambling addiction treatment

The Independent

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani: Here’s how investigators allege Ippei Mizuhara stole $16 million from baseball star

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Federal authorities allege Ippei …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara makes first court appearance in L.A.

LA Times

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, made his first court appearance Friday afternoon on charges that he stole more than $16 million from the Dodgers superstar to cover debts with an illegal bookmaker. “Our investigation has revealed that due to the position of trust he occupied with Mr. Ohtani, Mr. Mizuhara had unique access to Mr. Ohtani’s finances,” …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Here’s how investigators allege Ippei Mizuhara stole $16 million from Shohei Ohtani

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities allege Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, stole more than $16 million from the two-way baseball sensation to cover his gambling debts. Mizuhara placed nearly 25 wagers per day and lost nearly $41 million The complaint says Mizuhara’s phone contained hundreds of pages of text messages with a …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani's Translator Accused Of Stealing Over $16 Million From Baseball Star's Account

Huff Post

LOADING ERROR LOADING Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged the Japanese-language translator for Shohei Ohtani with felony bank fraud, accusing Ippei Mizuhara of stealing millions of dollars from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover his own gambling debts. According to an affidavit provided to HuffPost, Mizuhara transferred more than $16 million out of Ohtani’s checking account from November 2021 to …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter charged with stealing $16M from baseball star in sports betting case

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities charged the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Mizuhara was so intertwined in Ohtani’s life and career that he became the star’s …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter negotiating guilty plea after theft of millions

The Independent

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Why feds say Shohei Ohtani is a ‘victim’: Interpreter allegedly paid gambling debts pretending to be Dodger

LA Times

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani “cooperated fully” with an investigation of his former interpreter and was cleared of wrongdoing, the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California said. When Japanese interpreter Ippei Mizuhara lost bets, he paid a bookmaker with money allegedly stolen from Shohei Ohtani, a staggering total of more than $16 million — nearly four times what previously …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Shohei Ohtani's legend continues as baseball star, not a gambler

LA Times

Two weeks after sinking into a murky abyss, the legend of Shohei Ohtani has suddenly come up for air, surfacing powerfully through a thick layer of felonious lies and criminal deceit. I didn’t quite believe Ohtani when he recently threw Mizuhara under the bus by saying, “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.” With Thursday’s …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Inside the gambling ring linked to Ohtani — as told by two bettors themselves

LA Times

For all its complexities, all its twists and turns, the gambling scandal that has engulfed Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani raises a simple question. “The guy seemed to run a good shop,” one said of the bookmaker, adding that he has used “dozens of different bookies and this is easily the best I’ve ever worked with.” The Times linked one of …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Japanese treat Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal like ‘presidential election.’ Media take his side

LA Times

Japanese citizens recognize that baseball players betting on baseball — even if the wagers aren’t made on a bettor’s team — is taboo. In a statement he read to an assembly of about 70 reporters at Dodger Stadium last week, Ohtani said, “I never bet on baseball or any other sports, or have never asked somebody to do on my …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Column: It’s not just Shohei — a massive scandal involving sports betting is just around the corner

LA Times

Shohei Ohtani, right, and former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara last month during the Dodgers’ series in Seoul, just before allegations of illegal gambling by Mizuhara emerged and suspicions swirled about Ohtani. — Cleveland Cavaliers Coach J.B. Bickerstaff Mizuhara originally asserted that Ohtani had covered his gambling losses; Ohtani’s camp has subsequently maintained that Mizuhara covered those losses by stealing from the …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Letters to Sports: When it comes to Shohei Ohtani, nobody knows the real story

LA Times

$700 million, crooked interpreter, illegal gambling, innocent baseball player and large institutions investigating it all. The wimpy L.A. media should have pushed back on the Dodgers and said, “If Ohtani won’t answer questions we won’t bother to send a reporter or film crew.” Shame on the media for going along with it and kudos to Dylan Hernández for his follow-up …

1 year ago

Dodgers' Ohtani, Betts and Freeman are matching the Big Three hype

LA Times

Welcome to — Boom! “I was the only one who didn’t hit a home run,” said Ohtani, poor guy, so sad. “It’s great to be a starting pitcher behind a lineup like that.” He was talking about the entire lineup and, indeed, Max Muncy added two RBIs, James Outman knocked in a run, and Will Smith kept that first inning …

1 year ago

Opinion: Why California should continue to hold the line against sports betting

LA Times

Where sports betting is legal, you can bet pitch by pitch or shot by shot from your mobile phone. Americans wagered a record $119.84 billion on legal sports betting in 2023, but California should continue to hold the line and just say no to what has become the most popular game in town. The sports betting companies want nothing more …

1 year ago

Commissioner Rob Manfred hopes MLB investigation of Shohei Ohtani will be short but isn’t sure

Associated Press

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says he hopes the sport’s gambling investigation of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will be short but he isn’t sure. Asked about the length of the investigation, Manfred said: “I hope short, but I just don’t know.” Manfred defended the commercial relationships MLB and its teams have with legal gambling companies. “The clubs that have …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani shows no hint he's distracted by gambling scandal

LA Times

Shohei Ohtani might as well have been talking about a television show he watched the night before or his commute to Dodger Stadium in the morning. “It’s under investigation,” Ohtani said, “so I can’t say anything.” California What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim as prosecutors charge ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara with …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani gambling interpreter investigation: The Dodgers star says Ippei Mizuhara lied to him and to the press. It adds up.

Slate

The biggest star in baseball is involved in a burgeoning sports betting scandal, but there’s been considerable question this week about where that involvement sits on a sliding scale. Except that, by later that very day, Ohtani’s American lawyers released a statement that said, “In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani gets warm reception in Anaheim before Dodgers lose to Angels

LA Times

Shohei Ohtani strikes out in the fourth inning against the Angels on Tuesday. Ohtani went hitless in six at-bats with three strikeouts and two walks in the three games, which were sandwiched between last week’s season-opening two-game set against the San Diego Padres in South Korea and Thursday’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. “The last week, he’s kind …

1 year ago

Opinion: Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal putting Pete Rose roadmap to the test

CNN

Editor’s Note: Keith O’Brien is the author of the new book “Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball.” The views expressed in this commentary are his own. CNN — We’re a week into baseball’s gambling crisis surrounding Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, his close friend and former interpreter Ippei …

1 year ago

Gambling saga raises one big question: Who is Shohei Ohtani?

LA Times

Guided by two pages of notes in a black folder, Shohei Ohtani offered a step-by-step account of how he discovered his former interpreter had allegedly stolen from him to cover gambling losses. California What to know about the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim as prosecutors charge ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara with bank fraud after $16 …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani leaves unanswered questions after blaming his interpreter in gambling scandal

LA Times

Shohei Ohtani’s calm, deliberate delivery Monday of his version of events surrounding the payment of his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara’s gambling debts leaves no doubt where he stands on the matter. Since The Times broke the story that wire transfers totaling millions of dollars were sent last fall from Ohtani’s bank account to alleged Orange County bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, questions …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani Categorically Denies Any Links To Gambling

Huff Post

LOADING ERROR LOADING Baseball star Shohei Ohtani said Monday that he never agreed to pay Ippei Mizuhara’s gambling debt and is “beyond shocked” at how his now-fired interpreter took advantage of him. Ohtani, who spoke through the Los Angeles Dodgers’ performance operations manager, Will Ireton, at a news conference, said, “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani to make first comments since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter

Hindustan Times

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is set to make his first public comments Monday since his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Los Angeles Dodgers star. HT Image The Dodgers said Ohtani would speak at 2:45 p.m. PDT in the team's interview room, and that TV cameras and photographers would not …

1 year ago

LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to address illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter

Firstpost

The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers last week when the team opened the season with two games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul. Los Angeles: Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his interpreter emerged during …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports, interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole money, told lies

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani hasn’t addressed the Dodgers in a group since Mizuhara’s firing, but he had explained himself to several Dodgers individually, manager Dave Roberts said. So Ippei has been telling everyone around that he has been …

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani to make first comments since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter

The Independent

1 year ago

Shohei Ohtani says he never bet on sports in first remarks since Ippei Mizuhara accusations

LA Times

Shohei Ohtani finally broke his silence Monday afternoon. “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies,” Ohtani said through his new interpreter, Will Ireton, calling Mizuhara’s initial account of events — the one in which Mizuhara claimed Ohtani had made the payments to cover his debts — a “complete lie.” “I never agreed to pay off …

1 year ago

Ohtani to speak to media for 1st time since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter

Hindustan Times

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his interpreter emerged during the team’s trip to South Korea. I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity.” Mizuhara was let go from the team following …

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3 days, 13 hours ago