What’s the interpreter scandal surrounding Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani?

One of MLB’s star players, Shohei Ohtani, faces a tumultuous situation as his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired this week by the LA Dodgers due to allegations of embezzlement to cover sports gambling debts.

What happened?
Reports suggested Mizuhara had accumulated millions in gambling debt and misappropriated Ohtani’s funds to pay them off. It remains unclear if Ohtani was aware of this or had any involvement.

The IRS confirmed yesterday that criminal investigations are ongoing into Mizuhara and an alleged bookmaker.

The announcement coincided with the Seoul Series, the first MLB games in South Korea, where Ohtani was supposed to be showcased.

Mizuhara says he didn’t bet on baseball, but betting on all sports is illegal in California.

Experts believe the allegations may not significantly damage Ohtani’s image unless he is directly implicated. He signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last year and is one of Japan’s stellar players.

The situation throws light on the sports betting industry, which has soared in popularity in the US, and its implications on sports figures.