Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani held a press conference at Dodger Stadium on Monday to address allegations of wrongdoing by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani stated that he never bet on sports and accused Mizuhara of stealing money from him and telling lies.
Sitting next to Will Ireton, the team’s manager of performance operations, Ohtani spoke for nearly 12 minutes, referring to a document in front of him. He expressed his shock and sadness at the betrayal by someone he trusted. Ohtani emphasized that he never participated in sports betting or asked anyone to place bets on his behalf. He also denied going through a bookmaker to bet on sports or assisting anyone else in betting.
MLB investigators have been in contact with federal prosecutors regarding the case, and an MLB source revealed that they are conducting their own investigation into Mizuhara’s actions. The source emphasized that MLB does not expect to receive any information about the case until the investigation is complete.
Ohtani, a two-time MVP, left the Los Angeles Angels in December to sign a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. In conclusion, Ohtani reiterated his innocence and stated that he did not engage in any illegal activities related to sports betting. He expressed his disappointment in Mizuhara’s actions and emphasized his commitment to integrity and honesty in his career. The situation remains under investigation, and further details may emerge as the case develops.
