Ippei Mizuhara is expected to plead guilty to federal charges after allegedly participating in an illegal gambling operation run by former bookie Matthew Bowyer. Mizuhara, who was subsequently fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers, allegedly siphoned at least $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank account to Bowyer to cover gambling losses. Mizuhara is alleged to have changed the alert and confirmation settings of Ohtani’s bank account.
Bank information showed Ohtani’s name on two $500,000 payments marked as loans.
Ohtani, who signed a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December, has denied any wrongdoing following the allegations against Mizuhara.
“I’ve never bet on baseball or any other sports or asked someone to do it on my behalf,” said Ohtani during a team press conference last month..
