In a recent development, federal authorities have cleared Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani of any wrongdoing in relation to the massive theft allegedly carried out by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara is facing charges of bank fraud for reportedly stealing over $16 million from Ohtani, almost four times the previously reported amount.

During a news conference held by federal law enforcement officials, Ohtani was repeatedly described as a victim in the case. E. Martin Estrada, the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, affirmed that Ohtani had fully cooperated with the investigation, providing digital devices and personal information to help clear his name.

The investigation revealed a pattern of deceitful behavior on the part of Mizuhara, who had been Ohtani's interpreter and close associate for a decade. Mizuhara allegedly exploited the trust he had built with Ohtani to carry out the theft, secretly stashing the money in his own account when he won bets while gambling with a bookmaker.

Ohtani, who is currently playing his first season with the Dodgers after six years with the Angels, expressed his dismay during a previous news conference, stating that Mizuhara had been lying to everyone, including those around him. Ohtani vehemently denied any involvement in illegal gambling, emphasizing that he had never placed bets on sporting events or authorized transfers to bookmakers.

While Mizuhara faces serious charges that could result in a maximum prison sentence of 30 years if convicted, Ohtani's future in baseball remains secure. The investigation's findings have cleared his name, absolving him of any wrongdoing.

Ohtani has been making waves in the National League as the Dodgers' designated hitter, boasting an impressive batting average of .333. He has hit three home runs and leads the league with eight doubles. Additionally, Ohtani currently holds a seven-game hitting streak and has recorded hits in 13 out of the Dodgers' 15 games.

Although Ohtani has not made any further statements regarding the case since the initial news conference, it is expected that he will address reporters on Friday during the Dodgers' homestand opener against the San Diego Padres.

Meanwhile, Mizuhara is scheduled to make his initial federal court appearance in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon. According to the Justice Department, he is expected to surrender and be released on bond. Mizuhara will not be required to enter a plea to the bank fraud charge at this time.

The investigation also revealed that Mizuhara had allegedly made approximately 19,000 wagers between December 2021 and January 2024, averaging nearly 25 bets per day. While the records reviewed did not indicate any bets on baseball games, Mizuhara managed to win over $142 million but lost nearly $183 million, leaving him approximately $40 million in debt.

As the legal proceedings continue, Shohei Ohtani can now focus on his impressive performance on the baseball field, leaving behind the turmoil caused by his former interpreter's alleged massive theft.