Shohei Ohtani has spoken out amid the investigation into the gambling allegations involving his former interpreter.
After Ippei Mizuhara was charged with felony bank fraud this week after allegedly stealing $16 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts, the Japanese superstar opened up about the process.
The Dodgers’ designated hitter said he’s “grateful” with where things are going but hopes to keep the focus on baseball going forward.
“I’m very grateful for the Department of Justice’s investigation,” Ohtani said in Japanese on Friday, according to the Los Angeles Times. “For me personally, this marks a break from this, and I’d like to focus on baseball.”
During the Dodgers’ opening series in Seoul, South Korea in March, Ohtani’s representatives said the two-way player was the victim of a “massive theft.”
In March, ESPN reported that Mizuhara had allegedly stolen $4.5 million from Ohtani.
However, federal prosecutors have alleged this week that the former Dodgers interpreter — who was fired after the initial story broke — stole more than $16 million from Ohtani.
An affidavit revealed that Mizuhara allegedly impersonated Ohtani to get wire transfers to an alleged illegal bookmaker based in California — through recorded phone calls to the bank.
Mizuhara allegedly placed around 19,000 bets, winning $142 million and losing $183 million.
“Technically I did steal from him,” Mizuhara wrote on March 20 in an encrypted text message reviewed by investigators. “It’s all over for me.”
Mizuhara appeared in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Friday and was released on $25,000 bond, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reports that as part of his release, he is not allowed to gamble or visit a casino and is not supposed to have any contact with Ohtani.
Mizuhara also had to surrender his passport.
Michael Freedman, an attorney for Mizuhara, said Friday that the ex-interpreter would like to have the case move “as quickly as possible so that he [Mizuhara] can take responsibility.
“He wishes to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and his family. As noted in court, he is also eager to seek treatment for his gambling,” Freedman added in the statement, according to The Athletic.