There’s a new twist to the saga regarding Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts to use in illegal sports gambling, is not the only one facing legal trouble.
Matthew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker who Mizuhara used to place his bets, will plead guilt next week to bookmaking and money laundering charges, according to court records unsealed by federal prosecutors, as reported by Tisha Thompson of ESPN.
“Mr. Bowyer is looking forward to accepting responsibility for his actions,” Bowyer’s attorney Diane Bass said in a statement Thursday to ESPN.
In Bowyer’s plea deal, he admitted to receiving more than $4 million in reported income in 2022 and falsely reporting his taxable income at $607,897. Because more than five people were involved in Bowyer’s illegal activity, he could face a more severe punishment. Bowyer faces a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison, but will likely receive less to due pleading guilty.
Using Ohtani’s money, Mizuhara illegally placed at least 19,000 bets using Bowyer as his bookie. According to documents obtained by ESPN, Mizuhara is one of 700 bettors who utilized Bowyer’s services.
