The government’s ace prosecutor investigating Shohei Ohtani and betting on baseball has quietly left the mound, The Post confirmed.
That might help Ohtani, former Los Angeles Angels player and Ohtani teammate David Fletcher and former Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puig sleep a little easier, a source close to the situation said.
“It’s never good for the prosecution when the lead prosecutor leaves the government,” the source said. “You can only hope this will remain a priority.”
Resorts World too is awaiting a possible DOJ fine for letting a known sports bookmaker gamble millions at its casino and it too is likely relieved, the source said.
Assistant US Attorney Jeff Mitchell led the investigation into Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and explored whether Ohtani himself bet on baseball games. He resigned from his office May 16, and will get paid through September, sources said and the Central District of California’s press office confirmed.
Mitchell led the prosecution of Ohtani’s interpreter.
US District Judge John Holcomb on Feb. 6 sentenced Mizuhara to 57 months in prison for illegally — and without authorization — transferring nearly $17 million from the bank account of Ohtani to pay off his own substantial gambling debts incurred with an illegal bookmaking operation and for signing a false tax return, according to a news release.
But Mizuhara’s date to surrender was pushed back by several months until May 12, leading to speculation he might be cooperating with federal authorities.
“This probably makes it more likely this is all done,” the source said. “And is good news for Ohtani and any of the other names that never got charged.”
MLB investigated Ohtani and concluded in June 2024 that he was a victim of fraud.
Fletcher, a close Ohtani friend and Angels teammate, reportedly bet on sports with Mizuhara’s illegal bookie Matthew Boyer, but not baseball and was never charged with a crime.
Puig is presently fighting an obstruction of justice charge related to the sports betting investigation.
His lawyer did not return calls by press time.
The US Attorney’s Office in Central California declined to comment on the case.