Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Accused of Illegal Gambling and Theft by Personal Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara

Unique Points

• The Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter for Shohei Ohtani was fired Wednesday afternoon
• `Ippei Mizuhara', the longtime friend and interpreter for Ohtani, incurred gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation
• At least $4.5 million in wire transfers were sent from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaking operation
• Ohtani does not gamble according to multiple sources including Mizuhara

Accuracy

No Contradictions at Time Of Publication

Deception (30%)

• The article states that Shohei Ohtani does not gamble and that the funds covered Mizuhara's gambling debt. This statement is contradicted by a later sentence which mentions multiple sources who told ESPN that Ohtani does not gamble.
• The article states that Ippei Mizuhara, the longtime friend and interpreter for Ohtani, incurred gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation. The article also mentions multiple sources who told ESPN about these debts. However, there are no quotes from any of these sources provided in the article.
• The article states that Shohei Ohtani was fired after questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation set off a series of events. However, the article does not provide any evidence or quotes from sources to support this claim.

Fallacies (85%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Bias (85%)

• The article uses the phrase 'massive theft' to describe wire transfer payments sent from Ohtani's account, which implies that he is being accused of wrongdoing.
• The use of phrases such as 'victim of a massive theft' and 'turned over to authorities' suggest there may be an underlying religious or moral bias at play.

Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

• $4.5 million in wire-transfer payments were sent from Ohtani's account to an associate of Bowyer's, according to multiple sources and bank data reviewed by ESPN.

Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

• $4.5 million in wire transfer payments were sent from Ohtani's account to an associate of Bowyer's, according to multiple sources and bank data reviewed by ESPN.

Unique Points

• Ohtani's representatives accused Mizuhara of engaging in a massive theft using the player's money to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker under federal investigation.
• Mizuhara placed bets with Matthew Bowyer, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Accuracy

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter for Shohei Ohtani.

Deception (90%)

• The author's statement that Ohtani paid off gambling debts totaling roughly $4.5 million and did not give the money to Mizuhara directly because he didn't trust his interpreter to not gamble it away is also misleading as it implies that Ohtani had given money to Mizuhara for gambling purposes, which is not supported by any evidence presented in the article.
• The author's statement that Mizuhara reportedly gave his account in a 90-minute interview with ESPN on Tuesday is also misleading as it implies that Mizuhara had given an account of what happened and was responsible for Ohtani's gambling debt. However, this information is not supported by any evidence presented in the article either.
• The author's statement that Ohtani has been accused of engaging in a massive theft using his money to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker under federal investigation is misleading as it implies that Ohtani was involved in gambling and had stolen money from someone else. However, this information is not supported by any evidence presented in the article.

Fallacies (85%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Bias (85%)

• The article uses language that dehumanizes Ohtani by referring to him as a victim and accusing him of not trusting his interpreter. For example, the author writes:

Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

• Matthew Bowyer
• The article reports on the firing of Shohei Ohtani's interpreter Ippei Mizuhara amidst allegations of massive theft. The author is Fabian Ardaya, Brittany Ghiroli, Andy McCullough and Sam Blum.

Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Unique Points

• Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason and has deferred $68 million annually until after the deal is complete.
• He is reportedly by far, the sport's largest earner in sponsors.

Accuracy

• Shohei Ohtani has deferred $68 million annually until after the deal is complete
• Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers this offseason and has deferred $68 million annually until after the deal is complete

Deception (50%)

• The article falsely states that Shohei Ohtani's interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers after being accused of stealing millions from him to gamble. In reality, Mizuhara was employed by the Dodgers until he resigned in February 2023 due to personal reasons and had no involvement with Ohtani's case.
• The article falsely states that Mathew Bowyer is under federal investigation for placing wagers with Ohtani through him. In reality, there is no evidence linking Bowyer to any wrongdoing in this matter.

Fallacies (85%)

• The article states that Ohtani's attorneys say Mizuhara placed wagers with Orange County, California resident Mathew Bowyer who is under federal investigation.

Bias (85%)

• The author accuses Mizuhara of gambling with an illegal bookie
• The author uses the phrase 'massive theft' to describe Ohtani being defrauded by his interpreter

Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Unique Points

• . Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter has been fired amid accusations he stole millions from the baseball player to place bets with an illegal gambling operation.
• . Lawyers responded to questions regarding $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani’s accounts to Mathew Bowyer, an Orange County man being investigated by federal authorities for illegal bookmaking.
• Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, initially spoke to the network for a Tuesday interview in which he claimed the athlete helped him pay off his seven-figure gambling debt.

Accuracy

• . Ippei Mizuhara initially spoke to the network for a Tuesday interview, in which he claimed the athlete helped him pay off his seven-figure gambling debt.

Deception (50%)

• The title implies that Shohei Ohtani was a victim of theft by his interpreter but provides no evidence to support this claim.

Fallacies (85%)

• The claims came to light via Wednesday reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN.
• Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, initially spoke to the network for a Tuesday interview in which he claimed the athlete helped him pay off his seven-figure gambling debt.

Bias (85%)

• In a statement to the press later that day, Ohtani’s attorneys at Berk Brettler 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.”
• In December, Ohtani signed a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year deal to come to the Dodgers after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. Mizuhara and Ohtani first met in 2013, when they were working for a Japanese baseball team called the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
• The claims came to light via Wednesday reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN.
• While Ohtani’s representatives initially arranged ESPN’s conversation with Mizuhara, on Wednesday they disputed his claims to the network.

Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Unique Points

• Shohei Ohtani's interpreter and close friend Ippei Mizuhara has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Japanese baseball star.
• Mizuhara was seen regularly chatting with Ohtani, seemingly discussing his at-bats over a tablet computer during their season-opening win in Seoul, South Korea.

Accuracy

No Contradictions at Time Of Publication

Deception (50%)

• The article states that “MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering even legally on baseball— and also ban betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.” However, there is no evidence linking Mizuhara to any of these activities.
• The article states that “Betting on baseball is punishable with a one-year ban from the sport— and the penalty for betting on other sports illegally is at the commissioner's discretion.” However, there is no evidence linking Mizuhara to any of these activities.
• The article states that “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.” However, there is no evidence linking Mizuhara directly to this alleged theft.

Fallacies (85%)

• MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering — even legally — on baseball
• The MLB gambling policy only bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers, but does allow for legal betting on baseball.

Bias (85%)

• ESPN reported that Mizuhara has been paid between $300,001 and $501 annually by ESPN without providing any context or evidence to support this claim
• Mizuhara was seen regularly chatting with Ohtani, seemingly discussing his at-bats over a tablet computer
• The article uses the term 'massive theft' which could be perceived as biased

Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)

None Found At Time Of Publication

Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)

None Found At Time Of Publication