Major League Baseball is investigating allegations that former Los Angeles Angel David Fletcher placed illegal bets with a bookie. That bookie is the same man who took bets from Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. The Athletic reports that Ohtani and Fletcher are close friends. The reports say Fletcher did place bets, but not on baseball games.
Right now, Fletcher is playing with the Atlanta Braves triple-a team in Gwinnett, Georgia. The Braves organization did not comment and ESPN reports Fletcher did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the situation. Fletcher will be allowed to play during the investigation if he is recalled by the Braves.
Report: Fletcher Did Not Bet on MLB Games
The report says Fletcher’s friend is Colby Shultz. He played in the Kansas City Royals organization and is accused of placing bets on MLB games that Fletcher played in.
An MLB source told ESPN they don’t know about or have any evidence in the case. They aren’t sure whether investigators can get anyThe MLBP source told ESPN:
Government cooperation will be crucial in a case like this where we don’t have evidence.
Before the season started, Fletcher told ESPN he was at a poker game in San Diego where Mizuhara first met Mathew Bowyer. At that time, Fletcher said he never placed a bet with Bowyer.
Mizuhara was charged in April with stealing $16 million from Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts. Schultz was identified as ‘Bookmaker 3’ in the federal complaint against Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
MLB will request an interview with the former Angel, David Fletcher, but he does not have to cooperate with the investigation. Major League rules forbid players from placing bets on major or minor league games and do not allow them to help with bets made by others.
Players can bet on other sports, but they can not make any illegal bets, including off-shore betting sites or apps.
Also Read: Rumor: Atlanta Braves Already Targeting Rays Pitcher For Trade Deadline Move
Former Interpreter Facing More Than 30 Years
The case against the man once paid as Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter is still working its way through the justice system. Ippei Mizuhara has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges for stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account – without his permission.
He faces up to 30 years in prison for one count of bank fraud. He also faces up to three years in federal prison for one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
IRS: Mizuhara Took Advantage of Ohtani
Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher from IRS Criminal Investigation office in Los Angeles stated:
Mr. Mizuhara exploited his relationship with Mr. Ohtani to bankroll his irresponsibility. Mr. Mizuhara not only stole from Mr. Ohtani but also that he lied to the IRS about his income.
Mizuhara worked for the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers as Ohtani’s interpreter, but federal investigators say Ohtani personally paid him to help with other aspects of his life. The IRS says Mizuhara was with Ohtani when he opened bank accounts in Phoenix in 2018. He interpreted for him when bank employees gave Ohtani login instructions for those accounts.
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Bradley Tachco is a career journalist. I spent 12+ years at CNN as a writer and producer. My sports are the NHL, MLB, and NFL. My goal: unique content. And my teams are the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills (yes, I’m a masochist), and the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have been a Dodgers fan since I was old enough to think. I have gone through decades of despair with all three franchises. You can follow Bradley on X @p09691
