Ohtani interpreter caught up in same federal investigation as former Kiwoom Heroes star Yasiel Puig: Reports

From left: Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani and Yasiel Puig [YONHAP]

Former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara’s alleged theft from Shohei Ohtani was brought to light in the same federal sports betting investigation that involved former Kiwoom Heroes and Los Angeles Dodgers star Yusiel Puig, according to reports Thursday.

The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that representatives of Ohtani are accusing Mizuhara of “massive theft.” The newspaper further reported that the alleged stolen funds were used to pay off gambling debts of at least $4.5 million.

According to CBS News, Ohtani’s lawyers discovered the theft after the Japanese baseball star’s name came up in a federal sports betting investigation alongside that of Mathew Bowyer, allegedly the bookmaker that Mizuhara placed bets with.

In an interview with ESPN, Mizuhara said Ohtani had no knowledge of his gambling debts and that Ohtani had not transferred money to the bookmaker's associate — walking back earlier comments that the player had decided to pay off debts for him.

The Dodgers fired Mizuhara early Thursday, hours before they were to face the San Diego Padres for the second game of the MLB Seoul Series.

Puig, who played the 2022 season with the KBO’s Heroes, agreed to plead guilty in November of that year to lying to federal law enforcement officials about betting on sports. According to CBS News, Puig was embroiled in the same federal investigation.

"When given the opportunity to be truthful about his involvement with Nix's gambling businesses, Mr. Puig chose not to,” IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher was quoted as saying in a DOJ press release in November, 2022. "Mr. Puig's lies hindered the legal and procedural tasks of the investigators and prosecutors."

According to the DOJ, Puig accumulated $282,900 in losses through websites owned by Nix. He paid back $200,000 and then placed another 899 bets on tennis, football and basketball games.

Puig later changed his plea to not guilty. The case is ongoing.

There is no indication that the Puig and Mizuhara cases are directly related.

BY JIM BULLEY AND YONHAP [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]