The world of baseball is reeling from a major scandal involving global superstar Shohei Ohtani and his close associate and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. The Japanese superstar’s former interpreter has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers amidst explosive allegations of “massive theft” by Ohtani’s legal representatives, and it seems that this story may have serious repercussions for all involved.

The roots of this scandal lie in Mizuhara’s extensive gambling problem. Sources tell ESPN that Mizuhara developed significant debts—potentially upwards of $4.5 million—through an illegal bookmaking operation headed by one shady Mathew Bowyer. The bookmarker’s operation is currently under federal investigation, raising the stakes of this already complex case.

For now, the most tangible consequence appears to be Ippei Mizuhara’s termination from his $300,000–$500,000 per annum salary position with the Dodgers. The team, having arrived in South Korea for their season-opening games, found themselves mired in controversy before their debut even began. Mizuhara reportedly addressed the team, accepting blame but providing no clarity on Shohei Ohtani’s knowledge of his activities.

While this marks a severe setback in Mizuhara’s career, the potential fallout stretches further. Major League Baseball has strong rules against any involvement in illegal gambling, and potential federal charges hang over those involved.

Initial reports from an Ohtani spokesperson suggested that the baseball star was aware of Mizuhara’s gambling losses and had wired substantial funds to cover the debts. According to Mizuhara himself, Ohtani even supervised the transfer of the funds, adding the description ‘loan’ as a cover. However, this narrative quickly unraveled.

Read More: MLB Probes Shohei Ohtani’s $4.5M Saga, Fans Brace for Potential Poster Boy Fallout

In a stunning change of events, Ohtani’s legal team has painted a dramatically different picture, issuing a public declaration at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20th, that “Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities.” They did not explicitly accuse Mizuhara, and with federal investigations ongoing, the question of exactly who is at fault remains unanswered.

A twist in the tale of Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s unfortunate former interpreter

The interpreter has offered a confused and contradictory response, first claiming that Ohtani was aware of the situation, then backtracking to insist the superstar was in the dark. Mizuhara mistakenly believed DraftKings background made betting with Bowyer okay, while admitting his own responsibility in this mess and saying, “Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I’ve done.” He insists that he has never placed a bet on baseball.

Will the truth about Shohei Ohtani’s involvement, or lack thereof, be revealed? MLB is yet to weigh in, saying they are gathering facts in the context of the ongoing federal investigation. It is also worth noting that parallels exist between Bowyer’s operation and previous illegal gambling cases (as reported by ESPN), suggesting a pattern that could result in even harsher penalties.

This story continues to unravel with each new update, and it appears likely that this scandal is far from over. With so many unanswered questions and the potential for serious consequences, the baseball world holds its breath. This scandal leaves a dark stain on Shohei Ohtani’s legacy, Ippei Mizuhara’s career, and potentially others involved.

Read More: Questions Arise Surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s Ippei Mizuhara Crisis, Changed Narrative Breeds Doubt