MLB
Shohei Ohtani breaks his silence: What did he say about the betting scandal?
The Dodgers star has issued a statement thanking the Department of Justice for closing the investigation on the Mizuhara case.
Shohei Ohtani is now set to put aside the sports betting scandal involving his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. The United States Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, ended the investigation on Friday when Mizuhara was charged with bank fraud and could face up to 30 years in prison.
The 39-year-old Mizuhara was found guilty of stealing around $19 million from Shohei Ohtani and placing sports bets between 2021 and 2024.
Ohtani now wants to move forward and put this matter behind him with a statement from the Dodgers player summarising his feelings over the matter.
Official statement from Shohei Ohtani
“I am grateful to the Department of Justice for the investigation,” Ohtani began. “Personally, I want to put this behind me and focus on playing baseball.”
Succinct and brief from the Japanese player who plans to focus on giving his best with the Los Angeles franchise as he continues with his ongoing rehabilitation of his right elbow. Ohtani endured a poor start to the season with his new team with the Mizuhara case making the headlines and evidently proving a distraction for the 29-year-old baseball star.
The Dodgers designated hitter has four home runs so far this season and nine RBIs in 68 at-bats. His last home run occurred was at Dodgers Stadium as part of the defeat against the San Diego Padres by a score of 8 runs to 7 at the start of the three-game series.