LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has vehemently denied any involvement in the sports betting scandal surrounding his former interpreter, breaking his silence on the situation and painting a picture of betrayal.

Ippei Mizuhara, 39, was fired last week as Ohtani's translator after attorneys for the Japanese phenom said he was the victim of a “massive theft.” The IRS is conducting a criminal investigation of Mizuhara and Major League Baseball is conducting its own internal probe.

“I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this,” Ohtani said Monday.

Ohtani, appearing in a Dodgers sweatshirt and cap, expressed disappointment with his former interpreter, blaming for a controversy that includes allegations Mizuhara stole money from him to place bets with a bookie, NBC news reported.

"Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies," Ohtani said in Japanese with the help of a different interpreter.

He vowed that he did not bet on any sports, did not ask anyone to do it for him and said he "never went through a bookmaker to bet on sports."

Story Date: March 29, 2024