Sat, Mar 23, 2024 page7

• The IRS is investigating Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and an alleged bookmaker

  • AP, SEOUL, South Korea
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  Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter is being criminally investigated by the IRS, and the attorney for his alleged bookmaker said Thursday that the ex-Los Angeles Dodgers employee placed bets on international soccer — but not baseball.

  The IRS confirmed Thursday that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation through the agency’s Los Angeles Field Office. IRS Criminal Investigation spokesperson Scott Villiard said he could not provide additional details.

  Mizuhara, 39, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over US$1 million. The news broke hours after Ohtani’s anticipated debut with the Dodgers in South Korea, where Mizuhara was constantly by the US$700 million megastar’s side.

  

  This picture taken on March 20 shows Los Angeles Dodgers` Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, left, in the dugout during the 2024 MLB Seoul Series baseball game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.

  Photo: AFP

  “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,” Ohtani’s law firm, Berk Brettler LLP, said in a statement Wednesday. The firm declined further comment the next day.

  Sports gambling is illegal in California, even as 38 states and the District of Columbia allow some form of it. The Associated Press was unable reach Mizuhara for comment. It was not clear if he had hired an attorney.

  Diane Bass, Bowyer’s attorney, told the AP that Mizuhara was placing bets with Bowyer on international soccer, but not baseball.

  “Mr. Bowyer never had any contact with Shohei Ohtani, in-person, on the phone, in any way,” she said Thursday. “The only person he had contact with was Ippei.”

  Bass confirmed the criminal investigation into Bowyer and said his home was searched in October. No charges have been filed. Operating an unlicensed betting business is a federal crime.

  “I have been in touch with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, trying to resolve the case,” she said.

  Mizuhara is a familiar face to baseball fans as Ohtani’s constant companion, interpreting for him with the media and at other appearances since Ohtani came to the US in 2017. He even served as Ohtani’s catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game. When Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels to sign a US$700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December, the club also hired Mizuhara.

  The team was in Seoul this week as Ohtani made his Dodgers debut, and Mizuhara was in Los Angeles’ dugout Wednesday during its season-opening win over San Diego. The pair seemed to operating business through the end of Wednesday’s game. Mizuhara was not with the team Thursday.

  The Dodgers said in a statement they were “aware of media reports and are gathering information.

  “The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated,” the statement said. “The team has no further comment at this time.”
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