MLB's Ohtani to address translator theft allegations

Baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani will speak to the media later to address allegations of theft connected to illegal gambling surrounding his former interpreter.

The translator, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week after the claims emerged.

Ohtani's legal representatives have accused Mr Mizuhara of "massive theft".

At least $4.5m (£3.5m) was reportedly transferred from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaker.

Sports betting is legal in 38 states in America, but it remains illegal in California.

Ohtani, 29, has not been accused of any crime or placing any bets. On Monday the Japanese sports hero is expected to publicly address the controversy for the first time.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has backed Ohtani's decision to speak out.

"I'm happy he's going to speak and speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation," he told a news conference on Sunday.

"I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity."

ESPN reported last week that a newly hired crisis-communications spokesman for Ohtani had initially told the network that the former Los Angeles Angels star had transferred funds to cover his interpreter's gambling debts. But the spokesman soon recanted this account and said the star's lawyers would issue a statement.

Berk Brettler, a law firm representing Ohtani, said: "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

Mr Mizuhara originally told ESPN that Ohtani had been aware of his interpreter's gambling debts. But a day later he was fired and then said Ohtani did not know about the gambling debts and had not transferred the money.

It is not known whether any of Mr Mizuhara's alleged sports gambling involved baseball games.

In his interview with ESPN, Mr Mizuhara said: "I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting."

Since the allegations surfaced last week, Major League Baseball and the Internal Revenue Service have announced formal inquiries into the matter.

Mr Ohtani played last week in front of a sell-out crowd during a two-game series between the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

Last December, Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers, becoming the face of the sports franchise. He had just won his second unanimous American League MVP award.

His stint in the US started in 2018, and Mr Mizuhara has been a constant companion.

Mr Mizuhara's record before working with Ohtani has come under scrutiny in recent days.

The University of California, Riverside released a statement saying they had no record of Mr Mizuhara ever attending the university, contrary to the claim of the translator's public biography.

And the Boston Red Sox said Mr Mizuhara was never employed as an interpreter by the franchise, despite news reports and a Los Angeles Angels media guide saying so.