Dodgers Manager Says Clubhouse Accepted Shohei Ohtani’s Theft Claim

It turns out that Shohei Ohtani has had the support of the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse from the start regarding the wild gambling scandal involving his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara was charged with bank fraud on Thursday for stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani’s account and impersonating him on the phone with the bank. He officially surrendered to law enforcement on Friday and is in federal custody, per ESPN’s Alden González.

Speaking on “Loud Outs” on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers accepted Shohei Ohtani’s version of events after it was revealed former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara took millions of dollars from Ohtani’s bank account.

“Fortunately we’re surrounded by a very veteran headstrong focused group. It’s a culture that we’ve created: the buy-in to focus on the day at hand, and appreciating the fact that there’s going to be distractions all year long, on the field and off the field. Obviously this is something unforeseen, and something that is legendary for our organization and this magnitude, this scale. But I haven’t had to have the conversation. Once Shohei addressed us and said, ‘I didn’t know about this, this is something that will kind of play out the way it should,’ there has to be a trust fall from the players. And there was. And I think that it’s played out as such, and that’s going to make us even stronger.”

Dave Roberts via MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM

Mizuhara appeared in federal court Friday afternoon in Los Angeles. The Justice Department has said Mizuhara will not be asked to enter a plea and will likely be ordered released on bond.

Mizuhara faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

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