Shohei Ohtani wipes social media of alleged thief amid gambling scandal
As the MLB world grasps for anything that might help explain or contextualize recent dizzying facts and accusations between Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, for now all we have are breadcrumbs.
Other literature provides a more expansive view of what we know (or think we know) to have transpired (here is a wrap-up, and here is a list of lingering questions), but the synopsis is that Ippei Mizuhara bet on sports (though he claims not on baseball) through an illegal bookie.
Ohtani at one point paid the bookie through a wire transfer, either to bankroll Mizuhara or, as was initially claimed, to settle debts for Mizuhara that did not involve Ohtani.
Later, Ohtani’s camp claimed the money was stolen by Mizuhara.
MLB has opened an investigation. Previously, the bookie that was involved with Mizuhara was under federal investigation. There is plenty left to learn and uncover.
