After a series of events involving at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Shohei Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking organization, the Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter for Ohtani was fired on Wednesday afternoon.

The LA Times reported that Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s longtime friend and translator, amassed gambling debts. These debts were to a Southern California bookmaking company currently under federal investigation. It all began when reporters began to question him about the wire transfers.

Federal authorities investigated Mathew Bowyer’s Southern California organization during this week’s events. Multiple sources and bank data that ESPN examined indicate that the wire transfers were made from Ohtani’s account to a Bowyer associate. According to people close to the gaming organization, Bowyer dealt directly with Mizuhara beginning in 2021. Mizuhara wagered on international soccer matches and other sports, but not baseball. Bowyer knowingly ignored the names on wire transfers, prioritizing receipt of money over further investigation. To increase business, the source claimed Bowyer let others think Ohtani was a client.

MLB players and employees can bet on sports other than baseball but not with illegal bookmakers or offshore websites. The league’s rulebook says that bets with illegal bookmakers may result in punishment determined by the commissioner.

The former Interpreter was Ohtani’s good friend before being fired. They were so close in fact that Ohtani was helping pay back the debts Mizuhara owed. Mizuhara told Ohtani that he would pay him back. A representative from the Dodgers stated that Mizuhara spoke to the clubhouse after the game, admitting responsibility for an upcoming story and revealing his gambling addiction.

In December, Ohtani inked a historic 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, making him the highest-earning player in North American sports history. The contract includes a significant deferred sum of $680 million, payable between 2034 and 2043.

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