In a prepared statement read on Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani made his first public comments since former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired following alleged theft and illegal gambling activity.
Ohtani’s account was translated into English by Will Ireton, who has taken on duties as his interpreter.
After detailing his perspective on the current process, he touched on how Mizuhara’s suspected actions have tarnished a personal relationship.
“On a personal note, I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani’s statement was roughly six minutes long, but the press conference was closer to 12 minutes due to Ireton translating.
At the end of his statement, Ohtani once again pushed back on any allegations made against him, and his involvement in illegal activities that would make him a co-conspirator.
“In conclusion, I do want to make it clear I have never bet on sports or willfully sent money to the bookmaker,” Ohtani said. “To summarize how I’m feeling right now, I’m beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I am feeling at this point.
“The season is going to start, so I’m going to obviously let my lawyers handle matters from here on out and I am completely assisting in all investigations that are taking place right now. I’m looking forward to focusing on the season.”
Ohtani said that he didn’t learn of Mizuhara’s gambling debt until the two spoke while at the team hotel in South Korea following the first game of the Seoul Series. The two-way star’s representatives have submitted a purported theft case to authorities.
Mizuhara is now under criminal investigation by the IRS and Major League Baseball has launched their own into the matter as any sports betting is strictly against league policy.
Shohei Ohtani is allowed to stay on Dodgers’ roster while investigation goes on
Although there haven’t been any concrete details to come from MLB on the matter, Ohtani is expected to remain on the Dodgers’ active roster while the investigation continues.
Even as speculation and theories pertaining to Ohtani’s involvement are elevated, the Dodgers and Ohtani will continue business as usual in their preparations for a pivotal 2024 regular season.
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