From the ESPN Story:
“Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara's gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuhara's account and said Ohtani's lawyers would issue a statement.
…
The spokesman declined to answer any further questions, and the statement did not specify whom they believe perpetrated the alleged theft.”
So picture is becoming clearer - Feds were prepared to announce an indictment of the bookmaker - and as part of this indictment they realized it would implicate Ohtani and his friend - so they tipped Ohtani management team to let them get ahead of the story.
Management team gives ESPN an exclusive interview with the interpreter- who gives DETAILED information in the course of the 90 minute interview. Management team reviews the interview after and before publication and decides it does not look good - so tosses interpreter under the bus.
Huge red flag here and have a feeling this bites them in the ass. For someone to talk to 90 minutes and give a detailed explanation suggest 1 of 2 things - either they have built up a complex story with significant prep time or they are honest in their retelling of events. The timeline between when Feds would have began an indictment and when the interview was given just doesn’t give alot of time here. Wires were in September and October - obviously the bookie was under surveillance - but no way feds put this case together totally in 2023.
Likely timeline is they didn’t have this one wrapped up and ready to go until early March - and at that late stage notified Ohtani people - asking for cooperation in exchange for clemency. Ohtani team suggest his friend cooperate - so he does. Unfortunately the truth doesn’t look good for Ohtani - so his legal team does what’s in their clients best interest (the person who pays them) and screws over the friend - making him to be the criminal.
Note how they make sure to say bets were on soccer markets - never baseball. Sorry - I’m not buying it. Both Ohtani and his interpreter are very familiar with baseball and have connections in the sport. You think a guy who hangs around baseball players all day isn’t taking any perceived advantage and using it - especially after he loses the first million ? Nah - I’m calling bullshit on that.
Then there’s the alleged bets - everything on soccer - right. Coincidentally- these transfers began shortly after Ohtani was injured and out from the game. Clearly, no bookie is allowing action for a player participating in an event - but someone who has insight but not participating they would potentially allow - hoping to gain valuable info they themselves would use to bet the games and profit.
And why was the translator using only this bookie ? Not like there aren’t other options available in Japan - many of whom would be more discreet than an American and not under the watchful eye of the IRS/FBI ? Again - you’re smart enough to organize this massive fraud - but not smart enough to be able to contact a mid level Yakuza boss to set something up ? Nah - you’re either as smart as they paint you to be - or they are so completely stupid they allowed an idiot to walk off with millions - and I don’t think his people are stupid.
“Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara's gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuhara's account and said Ohtani's lawyers would issue a statement.
…
The spokesman declined to answer any further questions, and the statement did not specify whom they believe perpetrated the alleged theft.”
So picture is becoming clearer - Feds were prepared to announce an indictment of the bookmaker - and as part of this indictment they realized it would implicate Ohtani and his friend - so they tipped Ohtani management team to let them get ahead of the story.
Management team gives ESPN an exclusive interview with the interpreter- who gives DETAILED information in the course of the 90 minute interview. Management team reviews the interview after and before publication and decides it does not look good - so tosses interpreter under the bus.
Huge red flag here and have a feeling this bites them in the ass. For someone to talk to 90 minutes and give a detailed explanation suggest 1 of 2 things - either they have built up a complex story with significant prep time or they are honest in their retelling of events. The timeline between when Feds would have began an indictment and when the interview was given just doesn’t give alot of time here. Wires were in September and October - obviously the bookie was under surveillance - but no way feds put this case together totally in 2023.
Likely timeline is they didn’t have this one wrapped up and ready to go until early March - and at that late stage notified Ohtani people - asking for cooperation in exchange for clemency. Ohtani team suggest his friend cooperate - so he does. Unfortunately the truth doesn’t look good for Ohtani - so his legal team does what’s in their clients best interest (the person who pays them) and screws over the friend - making him to be the criminal.
Note how they make sure to say bets were on soccer markets - never baseball. Sorry - I’m not buying it. Both Ohtani and his interpreter are very familiar with baseball and have connections in the sport. You think a guy who hangs around baseball players all day isn’t taking any perceived advantage and using it - especially after he loses the first million ? Nah - I’m calling bullshit on that.
Then there’s the alleged bets - everything on soccer - right. Coincidentally- these transfers began shortly after Ohtani was injured and out from the game. Clearly, no bookie is allowing action for a player participating in an event - but someone who has insight but not participating they would potentially allow - hoping to gain valuable info they themselves would use to bet the games and profit.
And why was the translator using only this bookie ? Not like there aren’t other options available in Japan - many of whom would be more discreet than an American and not under the watchful eye of the IRS/FBI ? Again - you’re smart enough to organize this massive fraud - but not smart enough to be able to contact a mid level Yakuza boss to set something up ? Nah - you’re either as smart as they paint you to be - or they are so completely stupid they allowed an idiot to walk off with millions - and I don’t think his people are stupid.
