Dodgers fire Shohei Ohtani's interpreter amid allegation of 'massive theft'

The Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, amid allegations from Ohtani's lawyers that Mizuhara engaged in "massive theft."The Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter for Shohei Ohtani was fired Wednesday afternoon after questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaking operation set off a series of events.

The spokesman declined to answer any further questions, and the statement did not specify whom they believe perpetrated the alleged theft. While sports betting is legal in nearly 40 states, it remains illegal in California. Government-regulated sportsbooks require bettors to pay up front for their wagers, while illegal bookmakers accept bets on credit.

"Obviously, he wasn't happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again," Mizuhara said. "He decided to pay it off for me." Mizuhara told ESPN on Tuesday his bets were on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. Federal authorities learned of Ohtani's wire payments in January as part of their investigation into Bowyer's bookmaking operation, a source told ESPN. ESPN reviewed wire-transfer data for two of the transactions, each totaling $500,000; "Shohei Otani" is visible alongside various bank account and wire-transfer information and the word "loan." "Otani" is the Japanese two-way player's legal name.

After Ohtani agreed to pay the debts, Mizuhara said on Tuesday, Ohtani logged onto his own computer and sent the wire transfers under Mizuhara's supervision in installments over several months last year. They added "loan" to the description field in the transactions.

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