sounds more like Ohtani transferred money to him willingly to pay off his debts... until lawyers heard about it and now they're changing their story
Yeah, that’s an interesting wrinkle. Is this guy taking the fall to cover Ohtani being a huge gambler?
That's certainly what it appears to me. It didn't make sense how an interpreter had access to millions of his dollars. Looks like Ohtani got caught and the interpreter is taking the fall. The telling of the tale is if Ohtani declines to press charges against someone who allegey stole millions from him.
he ran up a 5M gambling debt. However, how they are reacting definitely raises some interesting questions.
On a related news, maybe Stanton got wind of the pending Ohtani suspension and a possible trade to the Dodgers, he clobbered 3 HR's off Marco Gonzales tonight.....
But, I heard on the radio this afternoon in discussion about this that Ohtani's contract has a clause that the deal can be voided if his interpreter is fired.
BUT lets not act like this is the first time a friend or family member stole money from a celebrity or athlete before. If this guy had access, which it sounds like he did, then it wouldnt be hard for him to either get Ohtani to pay his debt or stral the money...
BUT lets not act like this is the first time a friend or family member stole money from a celebrity or athlete before. If this guy had access, which it sounds like he did, then it wouldnt be hard for him to either get Ohtani to pay his debt or stral the money...
The question is, why on earth would an employee have access to anyone’s money? He may have had access to it, but what is the reason? It’s certainly possible it’s at least partly due to him making bets for Ohtani, no?
RE: RE: it wouodnt shock me if Ohtani was a gambler
BUT lets not act like this is the first time a friend or family member stole money from a celebrity or athlete before. If this guy had access, which it sounds like he did, then it wouldnt be hard for him to either get Ohtani to pay his debt or stral the money...
The question is, why on earth would an employee have access to anyone’s money? He may have had access to it, but what is the reason? It’s certainly possible it’s at least partly due to him making bets for Ohtani, no?
Most people making that amount of money have someone who pays their bills and tskes care of the little stuff they dont want to take care of...Usually they dont keep a lot of money in their bank accounts anyway, they keep enough to cover bills, i dont know if Ohtani did that though..
Lets be real this didnt just happen yesterday, so my guess, this guy fucked up, owed money to the wrong person and he asked Ohtani for the money and zohtani paid it under the impression his friend wouldnt gamble anymore and then they found out he kept gambling and cut it off..
That’s all fair and certainly possible. But I think you’re being a bit naive to completely blow off any scenarios where Ohtani may be more involved than we know about. Again, it’s possible Ohtani is nothing more than a victim. But there’s also a non zero percent chance the interpreter is the fall guy here. Did you see that clip ajr posted above of their interaction during the Korean Series from yesterday? Does that look like a victim and the thief that’s been stealing from him? Who knows but I can’t wait to see how this plays out
yeah, it would be one thing if this guy was an accountant
That’s all fair and certainly possible. But I think you’re being a bit naive to completely blow off any scenarios where Ohtani may be more involved than we know about. Again, it’s possible Ohtani is nothing more than a victim. But there’s also a non zero percent chance the interpreter is the fall guy here. Did you see that clip ajr posted above of their interaction during the Korean Series from yesterday? Does that look like a victim and the thief that’s been stealing from him? Who knows but I can’t wait to see how this plays out
Oh dont get me wrong i wouldnt be shocked if Ohtani was behind it all and he was the one gambling
I am simply stating the other side and how its happenned many times before
i think if Ohtani is not the guy gambling, he knew of the interepter's gambling they are supposedly super close..
Absolutely. The timing is too suspect. Whether you believe Ohtani would allow his interpreter access to millions of dollars so he could pay Ohtanis bills or not (seems ridiculous to me) but I will never be convinced that the interpreter was the only person on the planet responsible for Ohtanis money and nobody else would have noticed millions of dollars being taken until the feds discovered it during an investigation into an illegal gambling outfit.
Seems more like a “oh shit, the feds found it! What now?” To me
i think if Ohtani is not the guy gambling, he knew of the interepter's gambling they are supposedly super close..
Absolutely. The timing is too suspect. Whether you believe Ohtani would allow his interpreter access to millions of dollars so he could pay Ohtanis bills or not (seems ridiculous to me) but I will never be convinced that the interpreter was the only person on the planet responsible for Ohtanis money and nobody else would have noticed millions of dollars being taken until the feds discovered it during an investigation into an illegal gambling outfit.
Seems more like a “oh shit, the feds found it! What now?” To me
its kind of crazy to think about but if Ohtani truly trusted this guy it would be very easy for him to steal money..
I said it before but read about Dane Cooks brother
I don't know anything about Dane Cook because I can't stand him
But you're talking about a blood relative versus an employee. I can believe that there's an account that the interpreter has access to for some expenses, a petty cash fund kind of thing. I find it much more difficult to believe that this account would have millions in it.
RE: I don't know anything about Dane Cook because I can't stand him
But you're talking about a blood relative versus an employee. I can believe that there's an account that the interpreter has access to for some expenses, a petty cash fund kind of thing. I find it much more difficult to believe that this account would have millions in it.
I dont think its a theft thing, i think Ohtani 100% knew he was gambling, but its not crazy that a friend gets access, even if its just hey i got a business venture you want in? or like you said he has a fund that Ohtani outs moneh into for him..
But you're talking about a blood relative versus an employee. I can believe that there's an account that the interpreter has access to for some expenses, a petty cash fund kind of thing. I find it much more difficult to believe that this account would have millions in it.
I dont think its a theft thing, i think Ohtani 100% knew he was gambling, but its not crazy that a friend gets access, even if its just hey i got a business venture you want in? or like you said he has a fund that Ohtani outs moneh into for him..
Supposedly Ohtani was paying him 500k a year
Ohtani is the gambler. Let's stop the nonsense and user our senses.
RE: But.....Ohtani's lawyers are claiming it IS theft
yeah this is where Ohtani loses the court of public opinion, unless Ohtani was dumb enough to give him access to everything...
My best guess is this guy had access to some of Ohtani money told him he would tske care of the bills and things like that and then started gambking with it, got in really deep and went to Ohtani and admitted everything and zohtani paid off the debt...
Then the feds got involved and they knew there was a wire transfer from Ohtani and saw how it looked and immediately came out and said the interepreter stole it
But if I had to guess right now, based on the timelines and what we do know my guess is that the interpreter is voluntarily taking the fall for his mega rich friend that has his entire life ahead of him. Japanese are insanely loyal. I’d guess when this shit started to go sideways the other day the interpreter told them to lay it all on him to protect Ohtani. And I’m sure there will also be a big bag waiting for him for his troubles
But if I had to guess right now, based on the timelines and what we do know my guess is that the interpreter is voluntarily taking the fall for his mega rich friend that has his entire life ahead of him. Japanese are insanely loyal. I’d guess when this shit started to go sideways the other day the interpreter told them to lay it all on him to protect Ohtani. And I’m sure there will also be a big bag waiting for him for his troubles
that is extremely loyal, dude is going to 2 to 3 yesrs minimum
I'm in the camp that we'll likely never know the real truth
but as far as plausible deniability -- think about the role that these translators play. It extends far, far beyond the clubhouse and the reporters.
Who do you think helps a guy like Ohtani set up a bank account (for instance).
By and large, these translators likely have a ton of knowledge of and access to personal information pertaining to the player.
The concept that a guy like this *could* steal money isn't crazy to me.
I agree with this. This guy is more than just an interpreter; he's basically Ohtani's Man Friday. Like a hybrid interpretor, manager, personal assistant, and wing man.
I wouldn't think it crazy for someone in that position to be able to embezzle from someone who has more money than he could possibly spend.
RE: I'm in the camp that we'll likely never know the real truth
It is not easy to wire $4.5 million from someone else's account without that other person finding out. For 2 reasons: It's both hard to be able to complete the wires in the first place, and for the other person to never notice $4.5 million missing.
The interpreter's original story was that Ohtani knew about the (interpreter's) debts and willingly paid them off. That seems more likely to me.
It also feels like MLB will try to bury this story since Ohtani is their international cash cow.
But if I had to guess right now, based on the timelines and what we do know my guess is that the interpreter is voluntarily taking the fall for his mega rich friend that has his entire life ahead of him. Japanese are insanely loyal. I’d guess when this shit started to go sideways the other day the interpreter told them to lay it all on him to protect Ohtani. And I’m sure there will also be a big bag waiting for him for his troubles
that is extremely loyal, dude is going to 2 to 3 yesrs minimum
It’s a hell of a lot more believable than Ohtani gave his interpreter full access to his account, who in turn siphoned millions of dollars in funds to an illegal gambling outfit and nobody else on the planet noticed this money missing until the feds came around, lol
The part that seems weird to me, if you assume that Mizuhara was...
...the actual gambler - what bookie is letting this guy bet large enough to get $4.5 million in the hole? I'm not a gambler, so I can't say I know this, but that seems awfully steep. He made great money, yeah, but even then you're talking about losses in excess of five times his yearly salary. Just sounds hard to believe.
Ohtani is paying off debts of these magnitude for someone else. He's a gambler, used his interpreter (who really seems to be his Mr. Smithers) as a fall guy and the interloper with the bookies so he could gamble.
RE: I disagree with some posts about how easy this could have been.
It is not easy to wire $4.5 million from someone else's account without that other person finding out. For 2 reasons: It's both hard to be able to complete the wires in the first place, and for the other person to never notice $4.5 million missing.
My colleague manages the finances for a famous English singer. She's an authorized user for the accounts and would have no problem taking money out of any of the singer's accounts. The singer, maybe not immediately, but would definitely catch on, though, which is a wild part of the story
Mizuhara racked up the debt and asked Ohtani to cover it. He wires the money to the bookie directly instead of giving it to a gambling addict, not knowing that doing so is illegal in California (sports betting being a state by state thing).
Ohtani says this to the press. His attorneys immediately sense the legal shit he just stepped in and change the story to that Mizuhara stole the money outright - shielding Ohtani from any blowback.
Mizuhara racked up the debt and asked Ohtani to cover it. He wires the money to the bookie directly instead of giving it to a gambling addict, not knowing that doing so is illegal in California (sports betting being a state by state thing).
Ohtani says this to the press. His attorneys immediately sense the legal shit he just stepped in and change the story to that Mizuhara stole the money outright - shielding Ohtani from any blowback.
Gun to my head, this is the story I put my money on. Which makes Shohei still a really good guy, but he accidentally did something quasi-legal/illegal and against MLB rules.
RE: RE: I disagree with some posts about how easy this could have been.
It is not easy to wire $4.5 million from someone else's account without that other person finding out. For 2 reasons: It's both hard to be able to complete the wires in the first place, and for the other person to never notice $4.5 million missing.
My colleague manages the finances for a famous English singer. She's an authorized user for the accounts and would have no problem taking money out of any of the singer's accounts. The singer, maybe not immediately, but would definitely catch on, though, which is a wild part of the story
Shohei does strike me as the type of guy who may not check his finances that much, both because he seems to be all about baseball and has a ton of money coming in in the future. But at the same time, he's not worth THAT much, it's not like Bezos or Musk losing $4.5 million, that is, someone should notice it pretty quickly.
Moreover, it's pretty weird for someone with Shohei's finances to have $4.5 million liquid sitting around. If he does, he should hire a real money manager.
Yeah, that’s an interesting wrinkle. Is this guy taking the fall to cover Ohtani being a huge gambler?
Quote:
sounds more like Ohtani transferred money to him willingly to pay off his debts... until lawyers heard about it and now they're changing their story
Yeah, that’s an interesting wrinkle. Is this guy taking the fall to cover Ohtani being a huge gambler?
That's certainly what it appears to me. It didn't make sense how an interpreter had access to millions of his dollars. Looks like Ohtani got caught and the interpreter is taking the fall. The telling of the tale is if Ohtani declines to press charges against someone who allegey stole millions from him.
Where's the 2024 version of Jim Garrison?
On a related news, maybe Stanton got wind of the pending Ohtani suspension and a possible trade to the Dodgers, he clobbered 3 HR's off Marco Gonzales tonight.....
My first reaction was “Wow, better undefer that money.”
Ohtani - ( New Window )
The question is, why on earth would an employee have access to anyone’s money? He may have had access to it, but what is the reason? It’s certainly possible it’s at least partly due to him making bets for Ohtani, no?
Quote:
BUT lets not act like this is the first time a friend or family member stole money from a celebrity or athlete before. If this guy had access, which it sounds like he did, then it wouldnt be hard for him to either get Ohtani to pay his debt or stral the money...
The question is, why on earth would an employee have access to anyone’s money? He may have had access to it, but what is the reason? It’s certainly possible it’s at least partly due to him making bets for Ohtani, no?
Most people making that amount of money have someone who pays their bills and tskes care of the little stuff they dont want to take care of...Usually they dont keep a lot of money in their bank accounts anyway, they keep enough to cover bills, i dont know if Ohtani did that though..
Lets be real this didnt just happen yesterday, so my guess, this guy fucked up, owed money to the wrong person and he asked Ohtani for the money and zohtani paid it under the impression his friend wouldnt gamble anymore and then they found out he kept gambling and cut it off..
I think thats why he was ok deferring money
Oh dont get me wrong i wouldnt be shocked if Ohtani was behind it all and he was the one gambling
I am simply stating the other side and how its happenned many times before
Go read about Dane cook's brother, these guys trust friends or family way to much with their money
Absolutely. The timing is too suspect. Whether you believe Ohtani would allow his interpreter access to millions of dollars so he could pay Ohtanis bills or not (seems ridiculous to me) but I will never be convinced that the interpreter was the only person on the planet responsible for Ohtanis money and nobody else would have noticed millions of dollars being taken until the feds discovered it during an investigation into an illegal gambling outfit.
Seems more like a “oh shit, the feds found it! What now?” To me
Quote:
i think if Ohtani is not the guy gambling, he knew of the interepter's gambling they are supposedly super close..
Absolutely. The timing is too suspect. Whether you believe Ohtani would allow his interpreter access to millions of dollars so he could pay Ohtanis bills or not (seems ridiculous to me) but I will never be convinced that the interpreter was the only person on the planet responsible for Ohtanis money and nobody else would have noticed millions of dollars being taken until the feds discovered it during an investigation into an illegal gambling outfit.
Seems more like a “oh shit, the feds found it! What now?” To me
its kind of crazy to think about but if Ohtani truly trusted this guy it would be very easy for him to steal money..
I said it before but read about Dane Cooks brother
I dont think its a theft thing, i think Ohtani 100% knew he was gambling, but its not crazy that a friend gets access, even if its just hey i got a business venture you want in? or like you said he has a fund that Ohtani outs moneh into for him..
Supposedly Ohtani was paying him 500k a year
Quote:
But you're talking about a blood relative versus an employee. I can believe that there's an account that the interpreter has access to for some expenses, a petty cash fund kind of thing. I find it much more difficult to believe that this account would have millions in it.
I dont think its a theft thing, i think Ohtani 100% knew he was gambling, but its not crazy that a friend gets access, even if its just hey i got a business venture you want in? or like you said he has a fund that Ohtani outs moneh into for him..
Supposedly Ohtani was paying him 500k a year
Ohtani is the gambler. Let's stop the nonsense and user our senses.
yeah this is where Ohtani loses the court of public opinion, unless Ohtani was dumb enough to give him access to everything...
My best guess is this guy had access to some of Ohtani money told him he would tske care of the bills and things like that and then started gambking with it, got in really deep and went to Ohtani and admitted everything and zohtani paid off the debt...
Then the feds got involved and they knew there was a wire transfer from Ohtani and saw how it looked and immediately came out and said the interepreter stole it
that is extremely loyal, dude is going to 2 to 3 yesrs minimum
Who do you think helps a guy like Ohtani set up a bank account (for instance).
By and large, these translators likely have a ton of knowledge of and access to personal information pertaining to the player.
The concept that a guy like this *could* steal money isn't crazy to me.
That's Bullshit.
-Pete Rose
Who do you think helps a guy like Ohtani set up a bank account (for instance).
By and large, these translators likely have a ton of knowledge of and access to personal information pertaining to the player.
The concept that a guy like this *could* steal money isn't crazy to me.
I agree with this. This guy is more than just an interpreter; he's basically Ohtani's Man Friday. Like a hybrid interpretor, manager, personal assistant, and wing man.
I wouldn't think it crazy for someone in that position to be able to embezzle from someone who has more money than he could possibly spend.
Who do you think helps a guy like Ohtani set up a bank account (for instance).
By and large, these translators likely have a ton of knowledge of and access to personal information pertaining to the player.
The concept that a guy like this *could* steal money isn't crazy to me.
The interpreter's original story was that Ohtani knew about the (interpreter's) debts and willingly paid them off. That seems more likely to me.
It also feels like MLB will try to bury this story since Ohtani is their international cash cow.
Quote:
But if I had to guess right now, based on the timelines and what we do know my guess is that the interpreter is voluntarily taking the fall for his mega rich friend that has his entire life ahead of him. Japanese are insanely loyal. I’d guess when this shit started to go sideways the other day the interpreter told them to lay it all on him to protect Ohtani. And I’m sure there will also be a big bag waiting for him for his troubles
that is extremely loyal, dude is going to 2 to 3 yesrs minimum
It’s a hell of a lot more believable than Ohtani gave his interpreter full access to his account, who in turn siphoned millions of dollars in funds to an illegal gambling outfit and nobody else on the planet noticed this money missing until the feds came around, lol
My colleague manages the finances for a famous English singer. She's an authorized user for the accounts and would have no problem taking money out of any of the singer's accounts. The singer, maybe not immediately, but would definitely catch on, though, which is a wild part of the story
Ohtani says this to the press. His attorneys immediately sense the legal shit he just stepped in and change the story to that Mizuhara stole the money outright - shielding Ohtani from any blowback.
Ohtani says this to the press. His attorneys immediately sense the legal shit he just stepped in and change the story to that Mizuhara stole the money outright - shielding Ohtani from any blowback.
Gun to my head, this is the story I put my money on. Which makes Shohei still a really good guy, but he accidentally did something quasi-legal/illegal and against MLB rules.
Quote:
It is not easy to wire $4.5 million from someone else's account without that other person finding out. For 2 reasons: It's both hard to be able to complete the wires in the first place, and for the other person to never notice $4.5 million missing.
My colleague manages the finances for a famous English singer. She's an authorized user for the accounts and would have no problem taking money out of any of the singer's accounts. The singer, maybe not immediately, but would definitely catch on, though, which is a wild part of the story
Shohei does strike me as the type of guy who may not check his finances that much, both because he seems to be all about baseball and has a ton of money coming in in the future. But at the same time, he's not worth THAT much, it's not like Bezos or Musk losing $4.5 million, that is, someone should notice it pretty quickly.
Moreover, it's pretty weird for someone with Shohei's finances to have $4.5 million liquid sitting around. If he does, he should hire a real money manager.