Rob Manfred knows his wishes for a swift Shohei Ohtani investigation might be farfetched.
Since last week, Ohtani has been embroiled in a complicated scandal in which his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was accused of siphoning $4.5 million from the Dodgers slugger to pay off gambling debts to an alleged illegal bookmaker.
The story has been murky as Mizuhara has changed his side of it and observers wonder how this could have possibly happened with such large dollar figures with Ohtani being unaware, as he has claimed.
Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been accused of stealing $4.5 million from Ohtani to pay off illegal gambling debts. APMLB announced an investigation last Friday.
Manfred appeared on MLB Network on Thursday and discussed where things stand.
“Given the way the story unfolded, it’s important in terms of assuring our fans about the integrity of the game that we verify the things that Mr. Ohtani has said, and it’s really that simple,” the MLB commissioner said of the investigation.
Ohtani has denied awareness of Mizuhara’s alleged embezzlement, and Mizuhara has acknowledged he bet on sports like basketball and soccer but denied ever wagering on baseball.
What to know about Shohei Ohtani's accusations against his former interpreter
Lawyers representing Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani have accused his now-former interpreter and longtime friend Ippei Mizuhara of “massive theft” in a $4.5 million bombshell.
Mizuhara, who followed the two-time AL MVP from the Angels after he signed a 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason, reportedly accrued massive gambling debts he needed to pay off.
Mizuhara first told ESPN Ohtani offered to pay off the debt and later changed his story, insisting the Japanese star was unaware of the eight-nine wire transfers made from his accounts to an alleged illegal bookmaker.
Ohtani’s camp has “disavowed” Mizuhara’s initial story, per ESPN.
He was fired shortly after the Dodgers’ season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, and Ohtani has yet to publicly address the situation, though his camp is pushing for a law enforcement investigation amid an IRS probe.
“I never bet on baseball,” Mizuhara told ESPN. “That’s 100%. I knew that rule. … We have a meeting about that in spring training.”
All sides claim Ohtani has no involvement in any gambling.
With the IRS investigating Mizuhara and the alleged bookmaker, Matthew Bowyer, Manfred wasn’t sure when the feds would fill MLB in on their findings.
“It’s really difficult for the federal authorities to cooperate with us fully when they have their own ongoing investigation, so I think this is one where we’ll have to proceed on our own,” he said.
“We never have the kind of authority that law enforcement people have, but we manage to get these investigations done and find the facts and I’m sure we will on this one.”
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred talks with media at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa in February of 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConAsked about the timetable of the league’s investigation, Manfred responded, “I hope short, but I just don’t know.”
