Shohei Ohtani\u2019s former interpreter initially told an ESPN reporter that \u2060the Los Angeles Dodgers star had agreed to pay off his huge gambling debts, according to a newly released audio recording.<\/p>\n
Less than 24 hours later, Ippei Mizuhara admitted to the \u200bsame reporter, Tisha Thompson, that he had lied.<\/p>\n
Mizuhara currently \u200cis serving \u200ca 57-month prison sentence after admitting \u200bto stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani and pleading guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion.<\/p>\n
The recording \u2060of Thompson\u2019s interview with Mizuhara is featured in \u201cThe Betrayal of Shohei \u2060Ohtani,\u201d a six-episode series from 30 for 30 Podcasts.<\/p>\n
Mizuhara told Thompson he started betting with \u200ban illegal bookmaker \u2060after meeting him at a poker game. Mizuhara said he approached Ohtani for help \u2060after his debts mounted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI \u200basked him if he could pay \u200bmy debt off. He had to give \u200bit some \u200cthought,\u201d Mizuhara said in the first interview with Thompson in March 2024.<\/p>\n
Mizuhara said Ohtani was concerned about giving him the money because he didn\u2019t trust him \u200cnot to gamble with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wanted to make sure it\u2019s going back to the debts,\u201d Mizuhara said.<\/p>\n
When the Dodgers fired Mizuhara the day after that interview and \u200bOhtani\u2019s attorneys \u200baccused him of a \u201cmassive theft,\u201d he recanted \u200bmuch of what he had told Thompson during a second \u2060interview.<\/p>\n
Last month, Mizuhara, 41, reported to a low-security Pennsylvania prison Monday to begin serving his sentence.<\/p>\n
His sentence included an order to provide financial restitution to \u200bOhtani. He also must pay $1.15 million to the IRS.<\/p>\n
Mizuhara worked as Ohtani\u2019s interpreter with the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, with the pair characterized as close friends before Ohtani severed ties following the theft revelations.<\/p>\n
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