Shohei Ohtani Pleads Ignorance Amid Interpreter’s Gambling Scandal

MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani said Monday he was unaware of the illicit gambling habit of his longtime interpreter in a statement to reporters, emphasizing that he has personally “never bet on baseball or any other sports.”

The statement, which was read to reporters who weren’t permitted to ask questions, came on the heels of a bizarre five-day span where his interpreter and former friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was accused by Ohtani of stealing as much as $4.5 million from him—largely to satisfy mounting gambling debts.

“I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this,” Ohtani said, adding, “Up until a couple days ago, I didn’t know this was happening. Ippei has been stealing money from my account, and has told lies.”

Read more at The Daily Beast.