The Internal Revenue Service is criminally investigating interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers for his alleged ties with an illegal bookmaker, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

Mizuhara, who had been Shohei Ohtani's interpreter since his move to MLB in 2017, placed bets on international football but not on baseball, the report said.

Shohei Ohtani (R) of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara attend a press conference in Seoul on March 16, 2024, prior to Major League Baseball's season-opening two-game series. Mizuhara was dismissed on March 20, after allegations surfaced that he stole millions of dollars of Ohtani's money, the Los Angeles Times reported. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

The IRS confirmed that Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation, but its spokesperson Scott Villiard said he could not provide additional details, it added.

Mizuhara has incurred debt to the illegal bookmaker and sent at least $4.5 million from Ohtani's bank account, according to reports from ESPN and other U.S. media.

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Dodgers fire Ohtani's interpreter over theft, gambling allegations