The Los Angeles Dodgers have terminated the contract of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, following allegations of illegal gambling activities and a significant theft from Ohtani, the renowned Japanese baseball player. Mizuhara, a close friend and long-time associate of Ohtani, found himself embroiled in controversy after being linked to an illegal bookmaker and accruing gambling debts. Legal firm Berk Brettler LLP confirmed on Wednesday that the situation had escalated to involve legal authorities after it was discovered Ohtani was a victim of a substantial monetary theft.

The relationship between Ohtani and his interpreter extended beyond professional boundaries, with Mizuhara having been a constant figure alongside Ohtani since his move to the US in 2018. This partnership continued with the Dodgers, to whom Ohtani signed a record $700 million contract. Despite the allegations, Mizuhara contended that Ohtani was not involved in any illicit betting activities, even though Ohtani initially transferred $4.5 million to help alleviate Mizuhara’s debts—a claim later withdrawn. California, where the Dodgers are based, currently prohibits sports betting, and Major League Baseball (MLB) has strict rules against engaging with illegal bookmakers.

The story unfolds amidst Ohtani’s successful debut for the Dodgers in a historic MLB regular-season game in Seoul, South Korea, against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani’s performance helped secure a 5-2 victory, underscoring his significant contribution to the team. In the lead-up to the game, a bomb threat targeted at Ohtani prompted a police search, although it did not deter a pre-game performance by K-Pop group Aespa or the enthusiasm of the fans.

MLB is conducting an investigation into the allegations against Mizuhara, while Ohtani’s legal representation has taken steps to involve the authorities. The Dodgers have not yet released a statement regarding Mizuhara’s dismissal or the ongoing legal issues.