Representatives for Shohei Ohtani are seeking legal action over what they claim is a significant theft of the baseball star's money. The exact law enforcement agency they've contacted hasn't been disclosed.
Earlier this week, the Dodgers terminated Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani's longtime interpreter and close friend, following allegations that Ohtani transferred $4.5 million to an alleged illegal bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debts. The IRS has confirmed that both Bowyer and Mizuhara are under criminal investigation.
Initially, both Ohtani's spokesperson and Mizuhara told ESPN that the money was wired to Bowyer on Mizuhara’s behalf. However, the spokesperson later contradicted Mizuhara's account, stating that Ohtani was unaware of the transfer.
Mizuhara admitted to having a gambling addiction during a team meeting in Seoul, South Korea, where the Dodgers opened the season with a series against the Padres. He claimed his bets were on soccer, basketball, and football, never on baseball.
In a statement to The Post, the law firm Berk Brettler, representing Ohtani, revealed that Ohtani had been the victim of a massive theft, although the specific perpetrator was not named.
Ohtani signed a groundbreaking 10-year contract with the Dodgers worth $700 million, with $680 million of the contract deferred until after the deal ends.
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