Shohei Ohtani to address gambling scandal for first time

Shohei Ohtani speaks to the media for the first time since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his interpreter emerged during the team’s trip to South Korea.
MORE: www.foxla.com/news/shohei-oht...
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[@DeRose05]

Sounds like he got screwed over from a long time friend. I feel bad for him. I don't think he is lying.

[@sssssssssn]

Ohtani is not the type of person who would get into gambling. He is not interested in spending money and dislikes flashy things. He grew up in a small town that has many rice fields where there are hardly any amusements or stores. His wife carries a $50 Zara purse still nowadays!!! His wife is a classy, sporty woman who wears minimal makeup or no makeup at all and no body-conscious dress! The only reason he drives a Porsche is because it's his sponsor, and the car was given to him for free. He has to drive that for advertisement purposes. Shohei truly believes in karma and started picking up trash on the ground, believing that doing something good would bring good luck to him. He has been doing that since he was in high school. Shohei is a humble and good-hearted Japanese person. There is really no way he would get into gambling. (Not that all gambling is bad but he is just not a gambler type)

[@lahellight4337]

i just hope this betrayal doesn't impact his playing on the field.. I feel horrible for him. the one person you trusted most in a foreign country steals 4.5 million... and risks his entire legacy. ignore the trolls.. shohei. keep you cool. this all will pass and you will be vindicated!

[@thewthew1987]

Ohtani is devoting his life to make history in the baseball scene, not mere money

[@TSFPK]

Thank you Shohei for explaining. Knowing how you are as a person, I knew you are not a kind of person to lie. How awful this is for you to be betrayed by such a close friend in so many ways. I hope you can stay focused on what you want, which is to be the greatest baseball player you can be.

[@austinneal1621]

You know him personally?🤡

[@CCtheRapperman]

"Knowing how you are as a person" My guy you've watched him play baseball and you think he's your BFF

[@MatthewTallman-pv7sx]

His body language says it all. He is not lying. He shows zero nerves and totally relaxed.

[@EroticxxYT]

I’ve noticed too, he’s straight foward explaining what happened

[@chriscontreras252]

Poker players show the same poise

[@katofuntato466]

@@chriscontreras252🤣Bingo

[@Cooljaysman]

He had 5 days to practice lol

[@seavee2190]

@@katofuntato466 Poker, Bingo, lol..

[@poopolindos7163]

I am not sure what really happened, but it’s so sad to see Ohtani involved in this kind of crappy situation 😢😢😢

[@PoliticsReal]

Well he shouldn't pay off gambling debts then.

[@hoanglan3558]

@@PoliticsRealShohei just said in the video that he didn’t pay any debt for ippei

[@PoliticsReal]

@@hoanglan3558 And yet his representatives said he did. Go read the initial ESPN story, it wasn't just Ippei saying it.

[@ktbeatty]

I wasn't sure what to think when the news first broke. It definitely smacked of Ippei being a "fall guy." However, the way he relayed the story, lacking PR polish, and his confusion and emotion... I think I believe he had no clue. He's baseball 24/7 and clearly a bit too naive for his current age and stature, but I do think he's a victim here, not the offender.

[@geesixnine]

Expected: Innocent until proven guilty Internet: guilty until proven Innocent

[@luminalarc887]

Mo' money, mo' problems

[@tomhershenson2492]

Indeed. It’s almost like the more money a person comes across, the more problems they see. Meanwhile, in this instance, it seems like federal agents are mad, because the notorious Ippei M. was flagrant. I’ll bet they tapped his cell and his phone in the basement…if he even had a basement, that is…

[@GG-tb4ru]

一平、普通にアメリカの州法だけじゃなく連邦法すら犯してるやんか。😡 捕まえろよ早く。

[@Evejackson777.]

Why would he waste time betting!? I believe he is innocent.

[@Jack-jx6ln]

Would have liked to see them answer questions.

[@GG-tb4ru]

He literally doesn’t know much about what happened. They need to arrest Ippei and they should ask his representative the questions. When someone broke into your car when you were out, only thing you can say is someone broke into my car right? It’s pointless.

[@RajDeelish]

you have an active investigation going on. This is not uncommon.

[@bobafettman6941]

Answering questions randomly during an on going investigation is how you go to prison Better to explain it in court through a lawyer then to portray yourself as good for pubic image. A lot of innocent people in jail and have served time in jail because of trying to defend themselves without a lawyer and then answers being use against them in court

[@CCtheRapperman]

​@@GG-tb4ru more like someone broke in your car multiple times, and every time they stole millions of dollars worth of gas out of your car, but somehow you had no idea it was happening

[@naruhodo_ojisan7696]

this is pretty damn shocking case but I really do Ohtani san gonna be able to concentrate his job soon.

[@chrisburrelljr9270]

look at the disgust face on shohei at the end ...best friend stealing from him ..I feel him it sucks

[@PoliticsReal]

I'm sure you're praying that's the case

[@kayfujio8349]

This new interpreter is very good.

[@xoxo31040xoxo]

This really makes me realize how difficult to find an excellent interpreter who can interpret without missing ANY word. This interpreter is good, but missed or summarized more than a few things, and I was especially disappointed when Ohtani mentioned Q&A today not being done, the interpreter completely skipped that part.

[@RomanCatsmun]

Ippei took finance courses at UC Riverside

[@JessCatlessi]

🤣

[@edmendoza1736]

They already checked that out and found that UC Riverside has no records at all of his attendance there. They also found he never worked for Red Sox like he said.

[@ykyang5786]

@@edmendoza1736 I think it was sarcasm.

[@smwoutdoorfishingadventures]

My question is how did he have access to his account

[@possiblyicy]

Given the length of their relationship as both interpreter/client and as friends, it's clear (and has been reported as such for the entirety of his MLB career so far) that Ohtani basically entrusted everything to Mizuhara. He was more than simply an interpreter but did a lot of other things for Ohtani. So it wouldn't really be all that surprising if Mizuhara really did have access to Ohtani's accounts.

[@Shakazulu6.1]

How Ippei accessed to ohtani’s account will be revealed during the investigation.

[@AoK-ej9xb]

Mizuhara was probably a designated representative of Ohtani's bank account to do wire transfer for donation instead of Ohtani, delivering gloves for kids, support money for the victims of earthquake in Japan. So Mizuhara was probably in the position that he could access Ohtani's bank account.

[@ykyang5786]

You'll have to start with their relationship and how it probably started as Ippei just being an interpreter to becoming inseparable and even joking about being business partners. If you watch all of Ohtani's video from the beginning to recently, you can see the changes between the two. I wouldn't even be surprised if there was an expense account with both their names.

[@RajDeelish]

he's not just an interpreter, he's an assistant/secretary.

[@user-ky5cn9ov3p]

I believe Ohtani, he's great for baseball.

[@tingflowers3478]

still don't explain why Ippei could use his ACC

[@chinitopinoy1726]

He could’ve been Ohtani’s Power of Attorney where he has access to his account. Need to wait more to find out.

[@ykyang5786]

@@chinitopinoy1726 Ohtani actually joked about Ippei and Ohtani being business partners. Sounded like a joke at the time, but maybe not so much right now as it allows us to understand how Ippei could have access to at least one account, maybe an expense account to pay Ohtani's bills.

[@KCiAzN]

Yes like many have said, a power of attorney would grant Ippei access to his bank account. I don’t see the point of lying about this, as this would be easily verifiable.

[@RajDeelish]

he's not just an interpreter, he's an assistant/secretary.

[@PoliticsReal]

​@chinitopinoy1726 Yeah I doubt that. No way would he be given PoA.

[@scrambley1164]

He says "ehh" a lot. Omg it's too much.

[@optimega]

"Say It Ain't So"Shohei

[@BMetalJunkie]

lol

[@richardwills3098]

So quick to believe but Rose so quick to convict. No Class CA.

[@nononsense424]

Even if he was the one who bet, which I doubt, he didn't bet on baseball and didn't bet on games he was involved in. And I think Rose deserves to be in the HoF.

[@queenbea9574]

Why he did not answer questions leaves a grey area about being transparent. Seems he has something to hide in my opinion.

[@MrQbenDanny]

What were the reactions of your bookkeeping accountants to the money traffic in your bank accounts 🤔?

[@pauletecelebradocusi3555]

He never knew about ippei gambling after knowing him 10 years. Ok….

[@RajDeelish]

Google it It's happens all the time to even married people.

[@PoliticsReal]

Seems hella unlikely

[@buggin23463]

I want to know why ippei had his bank account information when all he is , is a interpreter??

[@sadisticgamer123]

Because he's also was a close friend and personal assitant to shohei ohtani for like 10 years. He did alot more then translate.

[@RomanCatsmun]

Ippei took finance courses at UC Riverside

[@AoK-ej9xb]

Mizuhara was probably a designated representative of Ohtani's bank account to do wire transfer for donation instead of Ohtani, delivering gloves for kids, support money for the victims of earthquake in Japan. So Mizuhara was probably in the position that he could access Ohtani's bank account.

[@buggin23463]

@@sadisticgamer123 hard to believe shohei didnt know that his so called close friend of 10 years to also do gambling on the side. Who in their right mind would give financial information of yours to a gambler. Make it make sense.

[@jessey2326]

@@buggin23463do you know everything about your friends lives? Guarantee you don’t.

[@totekoko3360]

最初、関与の連絡を聞いた代理人など皆に対して一平は「あれは僕の友人の借金を大谷が肩代わりしてくれたんだ」と話していた（翌日の韓国戦の当日までまだ大谷は知らない）。翌日、尋問に対して「自分の借金でした。」 大谷の名前を出し大谷の了承があるとすれば代理人たちは一平含めて守ろうとするだろうし、どうしてもお金を送金したくて、そういう既成事実を作りたくて強引な言い訳をして、お金をちょろまかそうとしたのかなと思う。借金が壮大過ぎて、身の危険を感じるほどで、ごまかしてお金を送ることが第一優先になったのだろう。これは違法だったから逃れられなかったけど、今までにも他にしてそう。 「ブックメイカーに送金依頼したことがない」のは事実でも、これから一平が他にも余罪が出てくる可能性もあって、他に一平から嘘を吐かれて振り込まれてる可能性も否めないから、この点だけを今は話してる段階かな？これまでに真実はよく分からない。 ドジャースで発覚しただけであって、エンジェルスがのどかで自由なクラブとはこういうことも野放しで見逃されるようなリスクもあるんだね。それも大谷が特別扱いだったことから身から出た錆であることもあるんだろうけど、アメリカは日本のNippon Professional Baseball Organizationと比べたら相場も大きいし、法を犯せる誘惑が多いから特に金銭にも厳しいのだろう。自分でしっかり守れて管理できないと一人前じゃないって言われるのも分かる気がする。

[@kokokoko-qx3yk]

英語の授業料6億7000万円なり

[@oneamerica195]

Lost in translation. Interpreter: "'I have never went thru a bookmaker to bet on sports.'' Shohei: ''I've never asked somebody to send money to the bookmaker from my bank account.''

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Ohtani Rose is dirty

[@optimusprinceps3526]

@@oneamerica195 Anyone who is Anti MAGA(Make America Great Always) means someone who is definitely not Pro American, such socialist scumbags need to go, like just like Ohtani(lying, gambling, law breaking)Rose

[@optimusprinceps3526]

@@oneamerica195 Atlanta, Georgia, Democrat Party DA, Willis, just like NYC DA Faaaaat Alvin Bragg, and NY AG jiving James are dirty rotten, like all Democrat Party Politicians, Officials, and Voters... and nobody likes a dirty rotten Fanni...

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Let's go Padres let's go! 🖕😆🏖️

[@BillLup-eb7lt]

There is no way you don’t notice that type of money missing immediately. His body language tells me there is a lot more to this. They are trying their best to cover it with hush money. The dodgers are so worried as they should be their fans are in denial. He clearly gambled and should be banned. This was the plan from the beginning likely if they got caught they just blame the guy who doesn’t play baseball. Worst case ohtani goes to play in Japan anyhow that was the logic.

[@magicalnewsmaneditsbumpers4374]

Ok, but do you have proof? Or conjecture? Because there's loads of evidence to convict ippei, but not Ohtani. "Body language" isn't enough.

[@Haru08816]

I think the early, unrefined interviews are closer to the truth. after that are strictly responses based on the lawyer's instructions.

[@riverrainxpander2079]

오타니는 잘못이 없다. 나는 오타니를 지지한다❤. Ohtani is not fault.. I fullly support Ohtani❤

[@metsrus]

sorry you can't just wire 500k easily from someone's account. lots of hurdle you have to go through. looks like it was several payments too.

[@lecannois]

Yes you can. If you have an account with token, you just need the token. It's very simple if you have the proper access.

[@ykyang5786]

You definitely can. I mean, not everyone can, but the rich definitely have difference sets of rules. Isn't it interesting that it was several payments though? That would hide it enough so that Ohtani doesn't really see it. If it was Ohtani himself helping Ippei, he'd just one lump sum the payment. Why drag it for months? But, go ask Kevin Garnett where his $70 million disappeared too, or Tim Duncan where he left his $20 million. It can happen even if you don't believe it.

[@dwstrat1377]

@metsrus stop spreading lies it is a lot easier than you think

[@PoliticsReal]

​@lecannois Dude he would need power of attorney. You really think a young 30 year old would give a non family member PoA? Get real. Ohtani knew.

[@PoliticsReal]

​@ykyang5786 If anything, it suggests it's harder to hide. It would need authorization multiple times. No way Ohtani didn't know. Plus, why would Ippei have told the press if he was trying to hide it?

[@realstage1925]

Mizuhara abused the bank's "Check Writing Privileges" designated agent system. This allows the use of electronic funds transfer with the right of proxy or transfer agent, and the agent can transfer up to a maximum of $500,000. With this method, Mizuhara, as the agent, can freely transfer the money while keeping Otani as the nominee, and Mizuhara, as the agent, can respond to inquiries from the bank. Therefore, the fact that the record of the nine remittances is a "loan" of $500,000 each is evidence of this. There is no need for Otani himself to go to the trouble of sending money in nine separate transfers. Perhaps Otani deposited one of his several accounts with Mizuhara to pay living expenses and other bills. Mizuhara was found to have also falsified her educational background. In short, Mizuhara is a gambling addict and a big liar.

[@yahoo.ribenren]

一平の証言の変遷がある分、とりあえず捜査当局の最後の結論まで静かに見守っていたい。

[@jag5014]

# FreeOhtani ✊

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Ohtani Rose

[@josemeda4592]

​@@optimusprinceps3526Ohtani rose from the ashes?

[@optimusprinceps3526]

@@josemeda4592 not yet, as the investigation hath just begun 😆

[@greggames495]

Any you never paid for drugs... Not once!!!

[@AoK-ej9xb]

Mizuhara was probably a designated representative of Ohtani's bank account to do wire transfer for donation instead of Ohtani, delivering gloves for kids, support money for the victims of earthquake in Japan. So Mizuhara was probably in the position that he could access Ohtani's bank account.

[@chinitopinoy1726]

Yes, isn’t it called Power of Attorney?

[@ykyang5786]

@@chinitopinoy1726 Not if Ippei got Ohtani to create an expense account for these types of transactions.

[@PoliticsReal]

​@@chinitopinoy1726Why would a young guy make his friend his power of attorney? Lmao cmon now.

[@chinitopinoy1726]

@@PoliticsReal Ohtani is old already man. He’s hitting the big 3-0 soon. Lol 😆

[@JessCatlessi]

If you look objectively at Shohei and Ippei, it's clear to me which one is less trustworthy and more likely to lie and gamble. Which one lied about where they went to college and where they worked previously? It wasn't Shohei.

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Ever been to a casino, they're the majority

[@baosommurr4566]

​@optimusprinceps3526 ever been at a kkk rally???

[@JessCatlessi]

@@optimusprinceps3526 when you say "they" who do you mean? Japanese citizens who were born and raised in Japan or do you mean Americans of Japanese heritage? Or do you just mean that you are racist?

[@optimusprinceps3526]

@@JessCatlessi Asians in general

[@optimusprinceps3526]

@@JessCatlessi The term "racism" was cooked up and coined by Karl Marx in order to rile up, certain overly emotional, unstable groups of people for political gain

[@brownbrigade4901]

HAJIMA TONGARA SHEEP SHEKI ANASAYO!!!

[@rickyricardo2419]

This is a mess and him even having a written letter sounds messy

[@user-vv5hl4bf3z]

If it was a gambling addict and career falsifier and an MLB home run king and excellent pitcher, I would believe the latter. The people who believe Ippei's words are either Dodgers haters or jealous of Otani's salary lmao

[@PoliticsReal]

And you sound like a Dodgers fanboy. The facts will come out.

[@CCtheRapperman]

That's called an appeal to authority and is literally an example of a logical fallacy lmao

[@jcrALLday]

Stand up for your friend Shohei!!

[@dwstrat1377]

a lil hard to do when you being ripped off by said friend

[@ts9576]

Wonder how much it took for Ohtani to have the intepreter take the blame. Had to be an 8 figure payoff.

[@realstage1925]

How can such a huge transfer of money be covered up? Impossible.

[@Gutibra2388]

Poker Face

[@raymondhernandez]

Abdicating control and review of your bank account is just dumb and irresponsible. Sad.

[@PoliticsReal]

I doubt that was the case. The FBI will find out.

[@josephohanlon205]

Is Shohei regretting his move to rhe Dodger??. IF you bragged again that you're making $??? K, people focus attention at you more. So, shut your mouth, show humility.

[@MG-qd6im]

not believable

[@javybeaz3236]

Ippei used Otainis credit cards, bank account to wire money. He was living with Ohtaini. Easy to do

[@bigwillie54]

If you know how to wire money you would already know the issue with your statement

[@drayton3032]

I smell a scam artist

[@timw8646]

Let’s be honest here…. Even if he does bet but not on mlb, who cares?

[@amart4088]

It wasn’t me 😉 trust me 😌

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Ohtani Rose

[@jaretrojas7915]

If you’re around your betting friend, they will let you know. It’s a shame the media out came right at opening day, Ohtani camp had no time to gather a believable story. Looking back at the sporting events Shohei has attended, hard to believe he’s never placed a bet.

[@jessey2326]

Read about ohtanis upbringing and what he thinks about money. You’ll be surprised. Gambling for extra money means nothing to him. He doesn’t care about it materialistic things. Then to even be betting on other American sports or soccer that he doesn’t even watch. Yall funny lol

[@dwstrat1377]

theres a lot of people who have never placed a bet your statement is kinda flawed

[@redmanflash]

I don't know why he doesn't learn english. 10 more years to go might as well learn it.

[@dwstrat1377]

@redmanflash he doesn't have to but he could

[@TheGuruofRock]

Most players who use an interpreter can speak English, they are just not comfortable speaking it in front of cameras Most English speakers would probably be afraid to speak English on TV, let alone another language!

[@lookthroughmycamera]

This new translator sucks

[@dietwedge]

Lies, lies and more lies.

[@dwstrat1377]

@dietwedge everything said is every plausable and you weren't there you know nothing

[@dietwedge]

@@dwstrat1377 the same can be said for you. All the speculation that he was behind the bets is just as plausible, by your logic.

[@Billyball35]

​@@dietwedgeEver heard of innocent until proven guilty?

[@NayaWrap]

The new interpreter looks like a nerd

[@latinravioli17]

Hahahaha it's cuz you left the Angels.

[@cJeremy]

ohtani: i know nothing. i did nothing MLB: good! let's play baseball and make money.

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Ohtani Rose thinks he's pulling a fast one on everyone

[@baosommurr4566]

Ok inbreeding...

[@JessCatlessi]

No, he is just a decent human being and you can't understand that because it takes one to know one.

[@optimusprinceps3526]

@@JessCatlessi C H U M P.... let's go Padres!

[@JessCatlessi]

@@optimusprinceps3526 Wow. Ouch. How will I ever go on now that you insulted me so. 🙄🙄You are only further proving my point.

[@jessey2326]

Clown. You wish to see him fall so bad lol. Look up his upbringing. Money means nothing to him. You think he’s gambling for extra money for what? And on sports he doesn’t watch. lol

[@KCiAzN]

If Ippei wasn’t guilty, I’m sure he would speak up. I get that they’re friends, but it’s asking an awfully lot of someone to admit to crimes if you’re not actually the guilty party.

[@RajDeelish]

What are you talking about??? Ippei already said he's guilty.

[@dwstrat1377]

@KCiAzN if he wasnt guilty the person would speak up no one wants that type fo shit hanging over them

[@hammerhammer4784]

Shohei knows everything about Ippei Mizuhara!!! They have been close for over 10++ years. Shohei had no idea Ippei Mizuhara was involved in gambling??? Hahahaha ok Shohei.

[@RajDeelish]

Google it. It happens to married people.

[@PoliticsReal]

​@@RajDeelishNope. Not like this. Those wire transfers had to be authorized.

[@dwstrat1377]

@hammerhammer4784 like this hasnt happnen to people before seriously dude are either sheltered & have no clue or refuse to look shit up

[@PoliticsReal]

@dwstrat1377 Yeah bro. 4.5 million just disappeared and Ohtani knows nothing! 🤣😂