A federal judge has issued a ruling requiring the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to undergo treatment for gambling addiction. The interpreter, who had a long-standing professional and personal relationship with Ohtani, allegedly exploited this connection to embezzle funds from the player's bank account over an extended period.
Prosecutors have accused the interpreter of bank fraud, alleging that he used various deceptive tactics, including impersonating Ohtani during interactions with financial institutions, to siphon significant sums of money for gambling purposes. The individual surrendered to authorities prior to the court appearance and now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years if convicted.
Authorities have clarified that there is no indication of Ohtani's involvement or knowledge of the fraudulent activities. The player is said to be cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The criminal complaint, supported by evidence such as text messages, financial records, and recorded phone conversations, outlines the elaborate scheme orchestrated by the interpreter.
While the interpreter reportedly accumulated winnings exceeding $142 million, the losses from his gambling endeavors amounted to approximately $183 million, resulting in a net deficit of nearly $41 million. A message sent by the interpreter to an illicit bookmaker on the day news of the federal probe broke expressed a sense of resignation over the situation.
Following the revelation of the scandal, Major League Baseball initiated its own inquiry, leading to the prompt termination of the interpreter's employment by the Dodgers. The case has underscored the importance of vigilance and oversight within professional sports environments to prevent such misconduct from occurring in the future.
