Federal Investigators Determine Dodger’s Shohei Ohtani Was The Victim In Gambling Scandal

Source: David Berding / Getty / Shohei Ohtani

TMZ Sports exclusively reports that Shohei Ohtani is in the clear regarding the gambling scandal involving his translator and best friend, Ippei Muzuhara, following a federal investigation.

According to the celebrity gossip website, the pitcher/slugger was not involved in the scheme and is a victim of fraud, sources close to the matter said to TMZ Sports .

Per TMZ Sports :

The feds have been investigating Ippei Mizuhara , Ohtani’s longtime translator, close friend, and functionally his manager. Mizuhara gambled away millions , reportedly at least $4.5 million, and after the story broke he said Ohtani had covered the debt.

Shohei Ohtani Doubled-Down On Not Betting On Sports

Ohtani expressed his non-involvement during a press conference in March , where he doubled down on not betting on baseball or any other sports.

“I am very saddened and shocked someone I trusted has done this,” Ohtani said through an interpreter at the beginning of his statement. He then denied being involved in sports gambling in any form .

“I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do that on my behalf,” he said. “And I have never been through a bookmaker to bet on sports. …

“Up until a couple days ago, I didn’t know that this was happening. … In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies.”

Ohtani shook the sports world after signing a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is now the richest contract in sports.

TMZ Sports reports charging Muzuhara for the crime will happen “any day now.”