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Ohtani's attorneys told the LA Times that
Mizuhara had used the ballplayer's funds to pay off an alleged
illegal bookmaker, who is reportedly under federal
investigation.
ESPN reported that at least $4.5 million had been transferred
from Ohtani's account to a Southern California gambling
operation.
"In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we
discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft,
and we are turning the matter over to the authorities," law firm
Berk Brettler LLP said in a statement.
Mizuhara, who is a longtime friend of Ohtani and had traveled to
Seoul with the Dodgers for their MLB season opening series, did
not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, he initially said that
Ohtani had agreed to cover his gambling debts.
A day later, however, he told the sports broadcast network
Ohtani did not know about the gambling debts and had not
transferred money to the bookmaker's associate.
"Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I've done,"
Mizuhara told ESPN on Wednesday. "I'm ready to face all the
consequences."
Mizuhara told ESPN his bets were on international soccer, the
NBA, the NFL and college football but never baseball.
The Dodgers on Wednesday confirmed to Reuters that Mizuhara had
been fired.
"The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering
information," a spokesperson for the team said.
At a news conference in Seoul on Thursday, Dodgers manager Dave
Roberts declined to comment on the case but said Ohtani woiuld
play in the second game against the San Diego Padres as planned.
"Shohei's ready," he said. "Ready to go for tonight's game."
Mizuhara came to California with Ohtani when he joined the Los
Angeles Angels in 2018. Mizuhara was hired by the Dodgers when
two-time AL MVP Ohtani inked a record 10-year, $700 million
contract with the team in the offseason.
Ohtani had two hits and an RBI in the Dodgers season opening 5-2
win over the Padres in Seoul on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Additional reporting
by Hyonhee Shin in Seoul; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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