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A television series is set to highlight the scandal involving MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani and his one time translator Ippei Mizuhara.
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To be clear, Ohtani was not found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Mizuhara was accused of stealing $4.5 million to cover his illegal gambling debts owed to a California-based bookie with ties to a "Real Housewives" star.
“In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities,” law firm Berk Brettler LLP said in a statement at the time.
Mizuhara would ultimately plead guilty to bank and tax fraud.
“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit.”
Matt Bowyer was revealed as the bookie utilized by Mizuhara.
In Las Vegas, Bowyer was known as a high-roller at Resorts World Las Vegas, according to Smith. He is now cooperating with the federal investigation.
"Real Housewives" star Jennifer Pedranti’s fiancé became embroiled in the gambling scheme as well with Mizuhara wiring money to Ryan Boyajian to pay his gambling debts. Boyajian regularly appeared on the show.
Mizuhara’s illegal bookmaker told the interpreter he could pay his gambling debts by wiring money to “Associate 1” who, according to ESPN, is Boyajian.
Lionsgate TV chairman Kevin Beggs addressed the entertainment firm's upcoming TV show about the Shohei Ohtani/Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal in a Q&A with The Ankler's Lesley Goldberg that published Wednesday.
"A year ago, Lionsgate TV announced it was developing a TV show about the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal involving his former interpreter," Goldberg said. "He’s easily among the biggest sports stars in the world. Has it sold yet?"
"It has sold," Beggs said. "Can’t say to whom because we’re still negotiating the deal. But the momentum around it just grew and the auspices are fantastic. It’s bananas how big he is."
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