ESPN reported that a spokesman for Ohtani first said that the player had knowingly transferred the funds to cover the gambling debt of Mizuhara, Ohtani’s long-term friend and associate.
The same spokesman organized an 90-minute interview between Mizuhara and ESPN on Tuesday night, where Mizuhara explained his side of the story.
He told ESPN that he had incurred the debts betting on the NBA, the NFL, college football and international soccer but never on baseball, which is prohibited by MLB rules.
“Obviously, he [Ohtani] wasn’t happy about it and said he would help me out to make sure I never do this again,” Mizuhara said. “He decided to pay it off for me.
Dodgers fire Shohei Ohtani interpreter amid theft, sports gambling allegations
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