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Ippei Mizuhara, the previous interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani who was fired in March after Ohtani alleged Mizuhara stole tens of millions of {dollars} to pay playing money owed, is negotiating a deal to plead responsible for the purported theft, according to a report by the New York Times.
The report described the investigation into Mizuhara’s alleged theft as “quickly nearing a conclusion” and indicated that federal prosecutors discovered proof that Mizuhara might have stolen greater than the $4.5 million that originally appeared in information experiences when the story first broke. Proof alleges that Mizuhara altered the settings on Ohtani’s financial institution accounts so Ohtani wouldn’t concentrate on the transactions, per the report.
These alleged actions would function affirmation for Ohtani’s solely statements on the case, which got here after the Dodgers returned from South Korea on March 25.
“Ippei has been stealing cash from my account and has advised lies,” Ohtani mentioned by means of his new interpreter, Will Ireton.
Mizuhara has employed former federal prosecutor Michael Freedman as his lawyer, in line with the Instances. A message left for Freedman was not instantly returned.
The IRS and the Division of Homeland Safety, together with the U.S. lawyer’s workplace for the Central District of California, had opened an investigation into Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged unlawful bookmaker who Mizuhara mentioned he positioned bets with. A spokesperson with the U.S. lawyer’s workplace declined to remark.
Major League Baseball has additionally opened an investigation into the state of affairs. An MLB spokesperson declined to remark when reached on Wednesday night.
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(Picture: Rob Leiter / MLB Images by way of Getty Pictures)
