Dan Patrick reacts to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's press conference from yesterday where he addressed the gambling allegations against his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara
There's nothing that proves Shohei is guilty of anything, he did'nt sign any check to make payments and the wire transfer were done by electronic, which Ippei had access to. People got to understand there's clients employer's and workers that embezzle and steal money from wealthy owner's all the time. Especially when a person is desperate and is in debt from grambling like Ippei, will betray his friendship and steal money (I know my own brother was addicted to gambling and would steal from our parents bank account by forging their signature) Some of the clients and associates that robbed and stole money from athletes and celebrities - Tim Duncan was robbed $20 million dollars, John Elway lost $15 million, Kareem Abul Jabbar lost $9 million, Kevin Garnett lost $78 million, Usain Bolt lost $12 million, Robert DeNiro lost $88 million dollars, Elton John lost $29 million, Billy Joel $90 million ect......All by clients, associates and even close partners.
@@diyfreediverthere’s nothing to suggest the guy from Toronto bet money on himself. You fanboys need to at least admit that he’s the most in talent and retardantness
You think the bookie is going to give an interpreter a $500k credit line when the interpreter was only making only $300k a year? Also, the idea that $4.5 million could be transferred and Ohtani's accountants, managers, etc. wouldn't notice the transfers is absurd. Then there is the fact that Ohtani spent every day for 8 years with the man and claims he didn't know that he gambled. That's also absurd.
Folk DO NOT UNDERSTAND illegal bookmakers. Illegal BOOKMAKERS want gamblers to get into debt, even 4.5 million in debt such as Ippei who is close to Shohei. In Debt? gambler is now COMPROMISED! Reason: #1: Ippei has insider knowledge about baseball and can give insider information. #2: Ippei can get desperate and take money from Shohei, i.e. embezzlement.
Dan, Ippei was working as an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team in the Nippon League. The team had a former MLB minor league player on the team This was before Shohei got drafted by the same team a year or two later. So Ippei was already vetted by the team. When Shohei went to play for the Angels, Ippei offered his services to Shohei and it was only natural to hire him as he did not have to do any research on him based on his Japanese team’s prior vetting. The media is also jumping to conclusions regarding the amount of $4.5 million. Ippei never specifically said anything about this amount. What he said was that nine wire payments were made in similar fashion after answering to ESPN’s inquiry about the two wire that allegedly came from Shohei’s account. So the media jumped to the conclusion that 9 x $500,000 = $4.5 million is what came out of Shohei’s account. If that was the case, I.m sure the FBI investigation on Browley would have picked this up as they can easily check into bank lodgers. But only two wires had Shohei’s name on it. And even Shohei’s team including CAA Sports would have checked on this issue. The fact that Shohei did not mention anything about the alleged $4.5 million is that his legal/financial team probably could not verify this (as neither did the FBI) . The fact that Shohei took his parents and his wife to Korea and had them sit together with Ippei’s wife would indicate that he did not know anything about Ippei’s interview with ESPN and that Ippei had never talked to Shohei about this. Just my observation Show less
If I was Ohtani, I'd definitely check all transactions going back 6 years. I don't think Ippei's $500,000 gambling wire was the first time he stole money from Ohtani. I'd bet Ippei started with $100 here and there, and then slowly increased.
Shohei has been a model athlete and person in his time in the public eye. I’m ok with believing him and giving him some grace until it’s absolutely proven otherwise
@@sinep8008 cause that’s where most bots come from. Trust me I work in tech. This guy won’t respond or debate what we’re talking about in this thread. Their not designed to be able to do that. Look at all the other compliments for comments and then look if they ever said anything in the thread to defend or agree with someone. This is the crowd you are following. Smarten up and recognize what’s going on
I'm Japanese, but I want Americans to know about this new translator. I feel like he only translates about 80% of what's said. For starters, he uses "obviously" a lot, but Shohei never says "obviously" in Japanese. Also, Shohei didn't use the word "willfully" in Japanese. I think a real professional translator should have done this. Shohei's explanation in Japanese was perfect and left no room for doubt. Shohei's explanation in Japanese clearly and concisely shows that Shohei has nothing to do with gambling and that Ippei was telling a huge lie to everyone around him at the beginning. Another thing that really caught my attention was that Shohei said he spoke using notes. But the interpreter said "document." This is a pretty big difference, and when you listen to Shohei's Japanese, it's clear that it's not written Japanese, but spoken Japanese. What you can tell is that he's not speaking from memory, but rather he focuses on the main points and then speaks in his own words. If you listen to it, a native Japanese person can tell whether someone simply said something prepared or whether they focused on the main points and said it in their own words. It's clear that Shohei didn't speak from memory, and it wasn't an acted speech.
I find it odd that the lawyers that are watching the accountants who watch the lawyers that watch the accountants never brought up any of these $500,000 wire transactions when his yearly taxes are due ! This cannot be explained away to the IRS !
Just a maybe off topic thought but Ippei always gave a weird vibe and now more so after seeing this new interpreter. This guy seems very professional and Ippei seemed to comfortable to have a little spotlight. Even if Ohtani was gambling, why would he do it with an illegal bookie? He has the money to bet legally all he wants
You can go further; why would he need to bet a crap ton of money at all? When you’re making that much money, the only rationale for betting like that is if you like throwing your money away for sport.
You don't understand the mindset of gamblers. Having tons of money doesn't mean there isn't a reason to gamble. It's a rush that's what they're chasing.
This is correct. It’s known in Japan that Shohei literally doesn’t like doing anything other than baseball. He lets people run his life. This should be quite the learning lesson if he actually wasn’t involved directly in the gambling.
C'mon! Ohtani is not going to use his OWN account, with his OWN name on it, to pay off an illegal bookie. He knows everyone watches him, wants to know what he does, etc. His interpreter was more than just his interperter. He had an seperate account, with Ohtani's name and permission to use, for conducting personal purchase, payment of bills, etc. Money went into this account every month, for the course of several years, and Ippei made the debt transactions 9 times, without Ohtani's knowledge. Ohtani's biggest crime was trusting this guy and now he is paying for it with this "guilty until proven innocent" bannana.
If you’re say in Japan you can carry casual conversations but you rely on an interpreter who can represent you when its serious just to avoid misunderstanding. You have to trust that person like a family so you can focus on what you’re doing. You pay them generally and almost always together for 6 years. I can’t imagine the shock and heartbreak Ohtani must be going through. He maybe too slow to find out about Ippei but that’s not a crime. Remember, Ippei lied to everyone. He lied to the media first, then to Ohtani’s rep, both covering up saying Ohtani is aware to protect himself. The next day he realized his stories doesn’t add up and admitted to the media that he lied. People say Ohtani changed the story but he didn’t, it was Ippei all along.
In a world where so many love to condemn before all the facts are in, I still believe people are innocent until proven guilty. There is a long list of celebrities who have been robbed by people they handed management of their finances to. I hope Ohtani is another one of them and is innocent of these accusations. Say it ain't so Sho!
Why are people assuming that the bookie went through some rigorous vetting process before allowing Ippei credit? You literally see banks give loans to people who would never be able to pay them off.
For Shohei to say he never bet on sports and dealt with a bookmaker, that's pretty definitive. You'd think some bookie or office person of a bookmaker out there would leak that wasn't true if he actually did and Ohtani would have to fear that. I don't know why I believe Ohtani. I just don't see a motive to risk your career over.
That’s kind of where I’m at too. Don’t get me wrong, I still have questions as to why Ohtani let his interpreter have access to his finances and how he could be so gullible, and I can’t make a judgement call either way until we have more info. But what is the motive for a player making an unbelievable amount of money to bet on sports?
I think he paid off the debt because he was worried for his potential safety ( maybe ) I don't think Shohei knew anything, until it got really bad for Ippei.
Shohei hasn’t done anything to suggest we shouldn’t take him on his word. You can’t just assume somebody is lying if they have never lied to you before. I know the real world isnt that simple, actually it’s much more complicated than that. But we are still very early in this investigation. We will know more in time.
he was clearly involved somehow. Two things about this don't make any sense. 1. A bookie would not continue to take bets from someone millions of dollars in debt that had no way of ever paying them back. Interpreter making 300,000 a year would not be allowed to accrue even one million dollars debt, much less 4.5 million. 2. Why did the story change 24 hours later? After initially saying the money was sent to pay Ippei's gambling debt, the next day Ohtani claimed massive theft. The only thing that makes sense is he was coached up on how horrible gambling is to baseball, and had to make the interpreter the fall guy or his career is over. Baseball needs to do a thorough investigation, get the FBI involved
Worst case imo is he was being a good friend who decided to loan Ippei $ to pay off his debts but went about it wrong by paying the bookie directly himself
Several reporters have talked about hearing rumors of this since January. How have they heard about it, but Ohtani doesn't find out until last week? That part doesn't add up for me.
With wire transfers I believe in some cases you can request funds from an account if the receiver has their banking information but still you would need approval not only from the account holder but from the bank. The bank flags it and calls the authorized names on the account
What world do people live in to think it’s more likely that Shohei is using Ippei as a fall guy? This is a larger scale version of employee theft around addicts that happens frequently just to a lesser extent. It’s particularly ripe when there’s a lax environment or incompetence and the active addict (typically unknown at the time) has access to money without oversight/incompetent oversight or the addict is the oversight/over-trusted. This all checks the boxes here. Add in the language barrier and that the manipulation around that and that Ippei translates and it’s a perfect storm. The version where Shohei is the addict and Ippei a dolt happens in movies. This would require significant evidence that I don’t see.
Not like folks with that kind of money are opening their Bank Apps every day, or even every week or weeks, and looking at the balance on their multiple accounts (just sayin). And he has people that are responsible for "regular" tasks that us folks do ourselves 🤷🏽♀️
People are delusional and nuts to think Shohei was gambling, have everything to lose and risk his entire career. Shohei has no history of gambling, if he did he would not be in a hole racking up a $4 million dollar debt that he cannot pay, he makes over $100million dollars in endorsements alone.
Lol, yeah nobody ever lost everything because they were addicted to gambling. I'm not saying Ohtani-san is a compulsive gambler or even just a recreational gambler BUT saying he couldn't possibly be a gambler because he would have everything to lose. Literally tens of thousands of people can't resist gambling away everything....they lose their homes, their retirement savings, their spouse, their limbs, their lives...
If Ohtani was placing bets or having someone do it for him… my question would be… why the hell are you guys in debt to the bookie lol? He has the ultimate control of a baseball game when he’s pitching.
Shohei is only interested in baseball but not in money. When he was in Japan, his parents managed his money, and he didn't know how much he had in his bank account. In the U.S., Ippei was taking care of Shohei like a baby. Ohtani is not interested in money, and that's why he gave up his high income in Japan and went to the States to play baseball at a higher level. Besides, his English is not good enough to understand anything complicated, although he can handle simple daily conversations.
He should not have lied to cover up for his friend. Two things about this don't make any sense. 1. A bookie would not continue to take bets from someone millions of dollars in debt that had no way of ever paying them back. Interpreter making 300,000 a year would not be allowed to accrue even one million dollars debt, much less 4.5 million. 2. Why did the story change 24 hours later? After initially saying the money was sent to pay Ippei's gambling debt, the next day Ohtani claimed massive theft. The only thing that makes sense is he was coached up on how horrible gambling is to baseball, and had to make the interpreter the fall guy or his career is over. Baseball needs to do a thorough investigation, get the FBI involved
@@2011blueman yeah that statement didn't make much sense. everybody and they momma know Japanese yen is super cheap, the amount money you make there pales in comparison to America.
Bookie did not give millions of dollars in credits. $4.5m was accumulated over several years. Multiple payments sent means Ippei had to settle debts before getting more credit to bid. If Ippei was given access to his banking info or poa , it’s easy for him to wire . No one in right mind who want to send money to illegal bookie to gamble, is going to wire from his own account . Also in a press conference he said in japanese, his atty reported to the police. His new interpreter only said ‘authorities’. No one in his stature will report incorrect into to the police to get himself in legal trouble
To lose $4 million gambling, you have bet many more times that. You're going to win at least 25-30% of the time. I doubt a translator has enough bank to gamble $10's of million.
Congress needs to get involved to throw the smoke screen on the financial crisis that awaits us. (see: steroid hearings and 2008 housing crisis that followed for more information)
The bookie was going around telling any possible client that he had Ohtani as a client, he might have believed it, or not. But, since the payments were coming (a million, in 2 transfers) and the name on the bank account matched, there's no reason to not give him the credit line.
They don't. The interpreter would never have even been 1 million in debt without Ohtani backing him. Bookies don't extend credit to guys with no hope of paying.
It is really irrelevant whether or not Ohtani placed the bets himself. The fact that the "bookie" can reach that far into an athlete's reputation to get their payment, really tells you that gambling will soon own all the athletes. All the professional leagues will need to learn quickly how to counter this gaming influence, otherwise all of sports will get consumed.
There us no way Ohtani’s and the Dodgers’ attorneys would let Ohtani state categorically in public and report to law enforcement that Ippea stole a large amount of money from him if that claim were not true because if Ohtani’s public proclamations about Ippea are not true, then Ippea would have a massive case against Ohtani and the Dodgers (his actual employer) for slander / defamation, ad well as face legal charges for filing s false criminal complaint against Ippei. Lying about Ippei in such a public way would immediately end Ohtani’s baseball and endorsement careers. If Ohtani either gambled or paid off Ippei’s debts, Ohtani’s attorneys would not let Ohtani engage in a huge civil crime against Ippea to cover up those acts because the consequences of finding out that Ohtani lied about Ippei are very likely worse than if it was revealed that Ohtani gambled with a bookie or paid Ippei’s debts.
Personally thought that the first story Ippei gave to ESPN was the entire truth. Shohei agreed to pay his debts by wiring money from his account. Many of us are suspicious how Ippei could have had access to all that money but when it was revealed that he'd previously lied to Shohei's agents, then this thought crossed my mind. That addicted gamblers lie and covers up their lies with another lie. It's like paying your debts with even larger debts. The word is out in Japan that interpreters for Japanese baseball players in the past have had full access to the players' accounts since most of them couldn't understand anything detailed in English. MLB players have to pay taxes in each state they play in, right? So every time Shohei visited the Bronx Bombers in NY, Ippei would wire money from his accounts while Shohei slept for 12 hours to recover. Shohei was making $30Mil in his last year with the Angels, so that's totally understandable. Since the two had been partners for 12 years, I guess they trusted each other.
I do money transfers and it is a tight system. (Obviously not on this scale). We need to know who was at the computer and authorized these transfers. BTW, cell phone records will establish who was where with each transaction date and time stamped. What if Ohtani were away according to “pings” on his phone.. plus, did Ohtani ever meet personally the Bookmaker ?? Where? When? For what purpose?
If "stealing" more than $1,000 is considered a felony...why have none of us heard about an arrest being made of his interpreter being made to the tune of 4.5 million dollars being "stolen"? Maybe because there was no theft in the first place, knew his interpreter would take being the scapegoat, or maybe this is the most generous and forgiving baseball player in the world.
@@aswerty911that's only if Shohei presses charges. If you're referring to the investigation they weren't targets, their names just happened to come up
Question nobody seems to be asking: When ESPN contacted Ohtani's spokesperson's regarding the wire transfer documents, why didn't Ohtani's spokesperson contact Ohtani? Contact Ohtani's attorneys? Why did Ohtani's own spokesperson arrange for Ippei to give an interview? Another question: Why is everyone assuming that nobody in Ohtani's camp, none of his attorneys, nobody with any of his banks, nobody except for Ippei apparently speaks Japanese? All good investigations start at the beginning. Everyone keeps wanting to just jump to the end. Will anyone with resources actually conduct a thorough investigation into this? When will Ippei be charged for his crimes?
Ohtani cannot say anything while a criminal case is being investigated. Do you believe the story Ippei told? A symptom of gambling addiction is repeating lies.😂 Ohtani is the １００％ victim,He has criticized gambling. Those who know his upbringing and personality know that he is an honest person. Ohtani believed that he should be trusted as a person rather than as a player.
Dan, I have few questions: - when Shohei opened his US bank accounts, who do you think was between the banker and Shohei ? Ippei? Or google translate ? - when he was opening an online account thru his US bank, who do you think was there translating legal terminologies and words on the form to Shohei? Ippei ? Or google translate ? - when US banks calls to verify transactions who do you think translates between banker and Shohei? Ippei? Or … Ippei? - With all these, is it hard for Ippei to know his passwords ? Answer two factor authentication ? - when he bought his home, who was between Shohei and realtor? Ippei? - Anyone buying a house would know that the amount of information and documents are a mile high . Who do you think translated the documents? Who saw private informations ? Bank accounts ? TIN (Tax Number) Ippei? He was also Shohei’s personal assistant. Pays bills $$ , checks payments from various businesses and endorsements $$$$$, checks salaries $$$$. Some bills are private planes from LA-Japan and security services-that could be a big chunk of expenses. $200,000 being moved every 2-3 weeks, but a Million comes in from sponsors do you think Shohei would check his debits and credits every day? Week? When he has to sleep at least 11-12 hours each day ? Ippei has numerous cellphones in his pocket, including Shohei’s personal cell. He answers all calls from families, sponsors, advertisers, agents, ALL CALLS. So that means he can open Shohei’s phone. So the bank probably foregoes standard procedures of authentication because they are used to Ippei managing everything for years! So, is it really that unfathomable, so inconceivable, mind boggling how Ippei an “interpreter” - personal assistant can get access to his personal information and bank accounts? Imagine going to …. Mongolia and had to open a bank account, rent an apartment and car - can you manage it just by pictionary or google translate? 😂
People keep saying the story "has changed". Well yeah, Mizuhara's story changed. At least so far, Ohtani's story hasn't changed, it's been consistent from the moment he found out about what was going on. Is it possible he's lying? Sure. But you can't use the "story has changed" argument against Ohtani because he had nothing (that we know of) to do with that.
And, 4 mill is a small amount of money, over time, compared to what Ohtani is making. He likely never noticed it, just like us regular people wouldn't notice 5 or 10 dollars coming out of our account over a long period of time.
Why would he have to add that he never had a bookmaker to place sports bets, when he first says he never bet on any sports anyway? Why add the bookmaker as a 2nd part of the statement? Liars always throw out more details than necessary. I could be wrong, but I don't believe this story one bit.
@@userac-xpg From what I understand, Ohtani never said that he paid his friend's gambling debts. His friend said that and the press and the Dodgers ran with that. Then supposedly Ohtani was made aware what was being said, and he claimed he didn't know about any of these payments, and that's when his story turned to theft by his friend.
He’s the mlb golden boy. If it was anyone else, he would’ve already been tarred and feathered: Trevor Bauer was crucified 2 seconds after false accusations were presented
Ohtani was not believable to me. Just a rote denial written by his attorney. Got to get Ohtani's cell phone, get the gambling receipts, the bookies records. Bookies must keep records so there is a good chance the full truth will be revealed. Pete Rose denied betting on baseball for years, but they found gambling receipts for bets on baseball games.
My thought exactly when I heard that. I respect DP but also remember a DP that wouldn’t use”hey, what’s the poll question” to sugercoat and create his own conversations….maybe he was dooped, interpreter lied for employment for Yankees….” to go on a 11 minute optimistic rant. Whatever Dan, I mean Old Man Dan.
@@Shoreline71 Isn't Patrick dancing around the finale - there will be no real consequences to Ohtani because he is too valuable. (See my sarcastic LE comment here!)
@@thomasjoseph3488 You say that like you DON’T know since he is a big bundle of asset, Mr tax guy would like a word….square him up, apologize in that broken English he learned being an Angel for 6 gotdang years and try to look like you mean it….Play Ball!!
@@thomasjoseph3488 And I think when I made that comment, I had freshly visited Dodgersnation (with an s) chat where I guess 1000’s are saying “It was that translator guy! Why investigate!?!!?” Go say something like Ohtani is 100% hooked on crack, hookers, and gambling and see what happens! 9/10 will think you mean it and go tf off! Real talk, I just wanna take Cards +240 tomorrow and would rather see him not play, lol
so, would you rather see ohtani as an effing fool or a lying loser of a gambler? he is one or the other, and you gotta believe the mlb ain't gunna give us the truth here.
Ippei is the one that took advantage of his "friend" bc he has huge amount of debt due to his gambling addiction and you're calling him the fall guy? Lol
I think going forward either the bookie will be found dead mysteriously, or Ippei will be found dead by "suicide", or, both, and everyone goes on living his merry little lives.
Ippei lied and thus is a liar. But he isn’t the only one. Either vast conspiracy of banks, accountants and lawyers defrauded Shohei, or he is lying too.
Ohtani knows until he doesn’t know about the gambling. He supports his interpreter until he doesn’t support his interpreter. He knows about the 4.5 million transfer until he doesn’t know about the transfer. These shenanigans make Pete Rose look like a minor leaguer.
A sports betting expert who ran an illegal book, said the interpreter could never have received $4.5 million in credit, without verified $4.5 million cash to back it up. Also, a Dodger staff member having access to Ohtani’s accounts? let’s remember, Ohtani has not made 100’s of millions yet. He has made $42 million so far. So 10% of his career earnings disappears and he didn’t know???
What would “Freshly Shit-canned from ESPN” Dan say? Would he use “Hey, what’s the poll question….” to segway into a 11 min carefully worded rant starting with “seems to be a couple stories out there….”? There are plenty of places I can get 11 mins of just words. I thought it’d be different, even a weak I believe him/I don’t believe him…..Hell, start it w “ my heart says…” if that makes it easier. So long, real DP. Not mad, I know things change, peace!
Just like PitchingNinja said…if someone says they had nothing to do with it is one thing but when the supposed innocent party accuses the other of theft and takes legal action against them is a whole nother deal. That’s a tremdous liability if Shohei really did know or was involved in actively paying this bookie. Do you think for one second if Shohei was really guilty his lawyers would allow him to take a chance on malicious prosecution charges by pressing charges against Ippei? Not likely. They believe they can prove Shohei is innocent.
There is no assertion anywhere that the bookie gave Ippei or anyone a “$4.5 million line of credit”. This is an often repeated unnecessary and baseless assumption made by lazy reporters, pundits, and talk show hosts who have a difficult time understanding words.
Exactly...danny starts talking and insinuating things he pulls outta his ass...guys like Danny p. Make the story a lot bigger than it is...why? Because it sells...brings listeners...the truth doesn't matter to guys like Danny p....he claims he's a journalist BUT really he's a tabloid journalist
ESPN story says they have multiple sources that the debt ran to $4.5M. Unless you two geniuses have better sources on the story? Where can I read your work??
If the interpreter had access to his bank account, then it would be easy to "prove" that he had enough money to cover a potential loss. As soon as he covered the first $500k, why wouldn't the bookies keep giving him more chances?
Dan please stop talking about ohtani. You are hurting yourself and baseball. Just stop talking about him. Pat Macafee and Colin cowherd are the only two who believe him even though he’s innocent.
There is no convincing proof one way or the other as to the extent of Shohei's involvement in this affair. The questions everyone is asking (and no one is answering) is how did $4.5 million dollars get wired from Ohtani's account to the bookie without Shohei's knowledge and why did no one on his support team notice the withdrawals until contacted by the media?
The problem with the amount $4.5 million is that Ippei never mentioned this amount. What he said was that nine wire payments were made in similar fashion after answering to ESPN’s inquiry about the two wire that came allegedly came from Shohei’s account. So the media jumped to the conclusion that 9 x $500,000 = $4.5 million is what came out of Shohei’s account. If that was the case, I.m sure the FBI investigation on Browley would have picked this up.
another question why did Ohtani change his story from paying his friends gambling debts, to "massive theft" people telling the truth don't have to change their story. liars do.
@@userac-xpg You’re mixing Shohei with Ippei. It was Ippei who changed his story. And then recanted his changed story afterwards. It is impossible for Shohei to change a story because his only story is what came out at the press conference.
@@userac-xpg Shohei didn't change that story, because he never told it. That story was told by Ippei. Ippei later recanted that version. And you're right, liars change their story.
Baseball will protect his behind while continuing to punish pete rose. They need Ohtani's money and the money baseball makes from advertising gambling now is disgusting. They are total hypocrites.
The goal is to make the playoffs and win the World Series, on a team with talent Ohtani help lead his team to not even making the playoffs. The Angels could have not made the playoffs even if they replaced Ohtani with a moron like you. @@aswerty911
The Angels never made the playoffs during Othani’s time because of inept ownership. You give a huge contract to Anthony Rendon and the dude hasn’t played over 60 games as an Angel.
Sorry but I refuse to argue with morons. You will beat me on experience everytime plus I don't want to make you late for your MENSA Society meeting.@@gregstricklin1642
