MLB issues statement addressing former Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal

Major League Baseball has issued a statement addressing the stunning gambling scandal that involves Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter.

Federal authorities filed a complaint in a Los Angeles court on Thursday accusing Ippei Mizuhara of stealing more than $16M from Ohtani over a two-year period. Mizuhara allegedly transferred the money to an illegal sportsbook and lied to banks by posing to be Ohtani in order to access the accounts.

Ohtani has been fully exonerated by authorities and is being treated as a victim in the case. MLB views the Dodgers star the same way, as evidenced by the statement the league issued on Thursday.

“We are aware of the charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office against Mr. Mizuhara for bank fraud after a thorough federal investigation. According to that investigation, Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim of fraud and there is no evidence that he authorized betting with an illegal bookmaker,” the league said. “Further, the investigation did not find any betting on baseball by Mr. Mizuhara. Given the information disclosed today, and other information we have already collected, we will wait until resolution of the criminal proceeding to determine whether further investigation is warranted.”