Los Angeles Dodgers basketball star Shohei Ohtani addressed the media at a press conference, vehemently denying any involvement in the recent sports betting scandal. Ohtani stated that he has never sent money to a bookmaker and has never participated in sports betting or any form of gambling.
Ohtani's remarks come in the wake of allegations against his translator, Ippei Mizuhara, who is accused of embezzling money from Ohtani to fund his gambling activities. According to Ohtani, he was unaware of Mizuhara's actions until recently. "Ippei stole money from my account and deceived me," Ohtani revealed during the press conference.
The basketball player further explained that Mizuhara concealed from him a media investigation into gambling activities, while falsely promising to settle supposed gambling debts on Ohtani's behalf. Ohtani emphasized that he had no knowledge of any such debts.