Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Now Under IRS Investigation, As Discrepancies In His Background Story Are Uncovered
deadline.comThe Internal Revenue Service has confirmed that alleged bookmaker Mathew Bowyer and former Shohei Ohtani translator Ippei Mizuhara are now being criminally investigated, according to the Associated Press.
The news comes as media organizations are uncovering discrepancies in Mizuhara’s background claims. These are important because his story on why money was transferred from Ohtani’s accounts to alleged bookmaker Bowyer changed after news broke, thus creating doubts on his veracity.
As the story stands now, $4.5 million was transferred from Ohtani’s accounts to Bowyer. Mizuhara originally said Ohtani was helping him cover his gambling debts out of friendship.
That story, which emerged in an interview with ESPN, was later retracted. Now, Ohtani’s lawyers claim the money was stolen without Ohtani’s knowledge in a “massive theft.” Mizuhara worked with the Los Angeles Angels as Ohtani’s interpreter from 2018-23.
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