Interpreter Shohei Ohtani now under IRS investigation as inconsistencies in his backstory are uncovered

According to the Associated Press, the IRS has confirmed that suspected bookmaker Mathew Bowyer and former Shohei Ohtani translator Ippei Mizuhara are currently under criminal investigation.

The news comes as media outlets uncover discrepancies in Mizuhara’s background statements. These are important because his story about why money was transferred from Ohtani’s accounts to alleged bookmaker Bowyer was changed after the news broke, casting doubt on his credibility.

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As the story now stands, $4.5 million was transferred from Ohtani’s accounts to Bowyer. Mizuhara originally said Ohtani helped him pay off his gambling debts out of friendship. That story, which surfaced 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 as an interpreter for Ohtani at the Los Angeles Angels from 2018 to 2023. His biography there states that he graduated from the University of California-Riverside in 2007.

But NBC Los Angeles reports that there is no confirming entry in the university’s database.

“According to our university records, no student named Ippei Mizuhara is registered at UC Riverside,” a spokesperson said. The athlete.

Claims that Mizuhara once worked as an interpreter for former pitcher Hideki Okajima are also refuted.

Several news reports claim that Mizuhara worked with Okajima for the Red Sox in 2010. The Red Sox deny this claim.

“We are reaching out to all of you because various media outlets have reported that Ippei Mizuhara worked as an interpreter for the Red Sox, which is false,” the Red Sox said in a statement to several media representatives. The athlete.

“Mizuhara was never employed by the Boston Red Sox in any capacity and was not an interpreter for Hideki Okajima during the pitcher’s time with the team. Please be assured that we have thoroughly reviewed our files to ensure we are providing accurate information.”

Mizuhara’s biography also states that he served as Okajima’s interpreter with the Yankees during spring training in 2012. However, Okajima was released by the Yankees on February 17, 2012, before the official start of spring training.

Earlier this week, MLB said it was investigating the situation. So far, no one has been charged with a crime.

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