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 had been reported.
But when Mizuhara won bets, federal authorities said Thursday, he stashed the cash in an account of his own — evidence that seems to support Ohtani’s claims he was unaware of the gambling.
Since news broke that Ohtani accused his interpreter and former right-hand man of a massive theft, questions have lingered about whether the Dodgers superstar was aware of or involved in illegal gambling, which could jeopardize his future in baseball and potentially expose him to criminal charges if he were found to have lied to investigators.