The Liberty Conservative: MLB investigates illegal gambling and theft allegations involving Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani
Major League Baseball (MLB) has launched a formal investigation into illegal gambling and theft allegations involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara was released from the team after reports surfaced linking him to an illegal bookmaker and accusations of theft against Ohtani.
The investigation was announced by MLB following reports that emerged during the team’s opening series in Seoul, South Korea. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that Mizuhara and the alleged illegal bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, are under criminal investigation.
MLB’s Department of Investigations, established in 2008, has previously looked into high-profile cases involving players such as Alex Rodriguez and Trevor Bauer. Ohtani, a two-way player and star in MLB, has not commented on the allegations.
Mizuhara admitted to placing bets on international soccer, the NBA, NFL, and college football but denied betting on baseball. ESPN reported that Ohtani allegedly paid Mizuhara’s gambling debts, but Mizuhara later retracted this claim and stated that Ohtani was not involved.
This scandal is being dubbed as the biggest gambling controversy in baseball since Pete Rose’s lifetime ban in 1989. MLB’s gambling policy strictly prohibits players and team employees from wagering on baseball, even legally, and also bans betting on other sports with illegal bookmakers.
As the investigation unfolds, MLB continues to maintain its stance on enforcing its gambling policies, ensuring the integrity of the game and the protection of its players. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
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