An interpreter for a Japanese MLB player on the Los Angeles Dodgers that has also been sought out by the Yankees and the Mets, has been charged in a betting scandal allegedly involving Resorts World Casino, possibly jeopardizing the company’s chances to obtain new gambling licenses from the state of New York.
Shohei Ohtani’s translator, Ippei Mizuhara, has recently faced charges pertaining to bank and tax fraud after prosecutors alleged he stole about $17 million from Ohtani to settle his betting debts. On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced that Mizuhara had agreed to plead guilty to all charges.
The investigation reportedly involves a company that has been one of the top bidders in the battle for NY state casino licenses.
According to ESPN, Resorts World Casino in Las Vegas is at the center of the federal probe, as Mizuhara’s bookie frequently bet and parked money there.
The Vegas casino and Resorts World New York at Aqueduct race track are both part of the Genting Group corporation, however they are both operated by separate companies.
Genting is currently planning to apply for expanding its gambling offerings to include live card table games at its Resorts World slots parlor in Ozone Park, Queens. However, Resorts Vegas’ alleged affiliation to Mizuhara could potentially hurt Genting’s chances in getting the licenses.
ESPN reported that law enforcement officials said Mizuhara’s bookie, Matthew Bowyer, allegedly used Resorts World Las Vegas and another casino to launder money. Mizuhara was told to pay his gambling debts to Bowyer’s associate, who then deposited them at Resorts World, while Bowyer used the money to continue gambling at the casino, racking up considerable debts, according to the outlet’s sources.
The IRS has confirmed that Bowyer is under investigation, but he has not been charged with a crime related to the Ohtani/Mizuhara case.
Resorts World Las Vegas was recently involved in a separate case, which resulted in the casino’s former president, Scott Sibella, being sentenced to probation for ignoring an illegal bookmaker, Wayne Nix, laundering money through the MGM Grand while he was running that casino. Nix pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an illegal sports gambling business.
This case could also possibly damage MGM Grand’s chances at obtaining the new casino licenses, as it’s also looking to expand into live card table games, although state regulators are not expected to start awarding the licenses until the end of 2025.
As of now, the casinos are undergoing investigation, and the maximum sentence for the two counts Mizuhara faces is 33 years in prison. He will also be required to pay full restitution to Ohtani and the IRS.
