Shohei Ohtani Issues Statement on Ippei Mizuhara Gambling Scandal

Shohei Ohtani addressed the media on Monday for the first time after his interpreter and close friend Ippei Mizuhara was connected to a gambling scandal. Ohtani's attorney claims his client was "the victim of a massive theft" but questions still surround the entire situation. The Los Angeles Dodgers star denied any involvement, declaring, "I never bet on baseball or any other sport."

At least $4.5 million was wired from Ohtani's bank account to an associate of California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. Bowyer is currently under federal investigation. Initially, Mizuhara claimed he had a gambling problem and borrowed money from Ohtani to pay his debts. But the story has been ever-shifting since it broke on March 20.

On March 19, a spokesman for Ohtani claimed he had transferred the money to help cover Mizuhara's gambling debt. The interpreter then sat for a 90-minute interview with ESPN in which he gave a detailed account of his side of the story. A day later, Ohtani's spokesman disavowed Mizuhara's version of events, and the slugger's lawyers issued a statement alleging theft.

That change created far more questions than answers and Ohtani went silent before addressing the media on Monday. During his statement, Ohtani claimed Mizuhara had been stealing money from his bank account. He also denied any involvement, and claimed to have never bet on baseball or any other sports and had never used a bookmaker. He added that he had never agreed to pay off Mizuhara's debts or transfer money to a Bowyer associate.

Ohtani's press conference lasted around 12 minutes and following are some of the key quotes from his statement, relayed by translator Will Ireton:

“On a personal note, I’m very sad and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this.”

“I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do that on my behalf. And I have never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports.”

“Ippei never revealed to me that there was this media inquiry and to the representatives in my camp. Ippei told to the media and to my representatives that I, on behalf of a friend, paid off debt.”

“Upon further questioning, it was revealed that it was actually, in fact, Ippei who was in debt. And told my representatives that I was paying off those debts.”

"Up until a few days ago i didn’t know this was happening. ... In conclusion Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies."

"I never agreed to pay off the debt or make payments to the bookmaker."

Ohtani did not take questions from the assembled reporters after giving the statement.

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer at The Big Lead.