Doubts Creep in Over Shohei Ohtani’s Innocence as Another Key Member in $17M Scam Faces Jail

Matthew Bowyer, the bookmaker who got money from Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter in the gambling scandal, has been sentenced to a year in prison. Notably, Bowyer’s sentencing comes after Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud for stealing $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts to cover his gambling debts. And now, the old question is popping up again. Was Ohtani himself ever involved?

“Matthew Bowyer, the bookie of Ippei Mizuhara, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison today.” Jomboy Media quoted Bob Nightengale. Well, despite all this, the scandal doesn’t seem to have touched Ohtani’s reputation or career. The two-way player is still the heavy favorite in the MLB MVP odds this year. And now that he’s back pitching after a shoulder injury, the focus has shifted back to baseball.

Moreover, through it all, Ohtani has stayed characteristically quiet, never really addressing the scandal directly. Hence, most of the baseball world seems to have moved on, viewing him strictly as the victim who was robbed of millions. Still, for some, that nagging doubt lingers: was it really that simple? Ft. Bowyer’s recent statement!

“I definitely believe it was the interpreter. I do not believe that Shohei Ohtani made any wagers. What I do believe that has been brushed under the rug and hidden – and this is my speculation,” Matthew Bowyer said.

Both the federal government and MLB have been clear that Ohtani was strictly a victim of fraud. He was quickly cleared by investigators and MLB, with no evidence that he knew Mizuhara was stealing from his accounts or that nearly 19,000 bets were being placed with Bowyer over more than two years.

But Bowyer’s latest statement has stirred things up again. It again renewed the old debate about Ohtani’s involvement, and guess what, it’s here to stay.

Arguments and counter-arguments made the scene more confusing for Shohei Ohtani

Back in February, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, issued an official apology to Ohtani and pleaded guilty. “I am truly sorry to Mr. Ohtani for what I have done. I know an apology will not fix the crime I committed,” he said.”This mistake will impact me for the rest of my life, and I’m prepared to accept the consequences.“

Mizuhara also admitted that he falsified his 2022 tax return and underreported $4.1 million in income from the scheme, leaving him with $1.15 million in unpaid taxes plus penalties and interest. Thus, his admission has reinforced the idea that Ohtani himself wasn’t involved. Mizuhara’s attorney also made it clear that there are no charges or accusations against Ohtani.

Still, the situation took another twist when Mizuhara’s father, Hidemasa, publicly suggested that Ohtani should also be looked into. “Shouldn’t we investigate Shohei more? His personality. You don’t know him, do you? Of course I do. But I can’t say it. It’s not about me.”

Hence, with these conflicting voices, the betting scandal has been moving in all sorts of directions since the beginning, and Bowyer’s latest remarks have only added more fuel to the fire.