In 2024, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, became embroiled in a high-profile gambling scandal shortly after Ohtani’s debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mizuhara initially confessed in an exclusive conversation with reporter Tisha Thompson that Ohtani was aware of and helped repay a $4.5 million debt that Mizuhara owed to an illegal bookmaker, including assisting with wire transfers marked as “loans.” This confession, made with an Ohtani spokesperson present, sparked significant controversy and suspicion around the Dodgers star.

However, Mizuhara later recanted these claims, admitting instead that he had stolen nearly $17 million from Ohtani without the player’s knowledge. Federal investigations cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing, affirming that Mizuhara had committed the theft covertly. Mizuhara is now serving a prison sentence and has been ordered to pay restitution to Ohtani. The released audio from the 2024 phone call remains the only detailed record of Mizuhara’s initial confession and his attempt to implicate Ohtani.

Mizuhara explained his involvement in illegal gambling as a result of financial strain and a desire to maintain a lifestyle he felt pressured to keep up with while working closely with Ohtani. Earning $85,000 annually, Mizuhara described living paycheck to paycheck and hiding his debts from Ohtani to avoid damaging their close relationship, which he likened to a brotherhood. He claimed that Ohtani agreed to help him repay the gambling debts in increments of $500,000, although this was later disproved.

The scandal unveiled a complex mixture of trust, betrayal, and desperation behind the scenes of professional sports. Mizuhara expressed remorse and a commitment to repay Ohtani, but his eventual conviction and sentencing for stealing millions overshadowed those intentions. The case highlights the risks faced by players and their inner circles and the importance of vigilance against illegal gambling influences in baseball.