Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani is seeking to recover $325,000 worth of baseball cards that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly purchased using stolen funds from Ohtani’s account to fuel a gambling habit. Mizuhara has pleaded guilty to illegally transferring $17 million from Ohtani’s account for gambling purposes. Ohtani claims that some of the stolen money was used to buy valuable baseball cards. Mizuhara is set to be sentenced in January, and his attorney has not provided any comments on the matter.
Despite the distraction caused by the scandal, Ohtani went on to win the National League MVP award and lead the Dodgers to a World Series title. It was revealed in late March that Mizuhara was involved in sports betting, but Ohtani has denied any involvement in such activities. Sports betting is not legal in California where the Dodgers are based, and MLB players and staff are prohibited from wagering on their sport.
The case highlights the risks associated with professional athletes and individuals close to them engaging in illegal activities like sports betting. It also underscores the importance of following rules and regulations set by organizations like MLB to maintain the integrity of the sport. Despite the challenges he faced, Ohtani’s performance on the field was not affected, and he achieved significant success during the season.
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