Legal Look: Shohei Ohtani Said What He Needed To Say

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers poses for a portrait ... [+] during photo day at Camelback Ranch on February 21, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

From a legal standpoint, Shohei Ohtani said what he needed to say. He needed to disavow any involvement whatsoever with Ippei Mizuhara's gambling debts. That includes the key legal denial that he did not wire funds to the bookmaker to cover his former interpreter’s gambling debts.

"I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do that on my behalf," he said. "And I have never been through a bookmaker to bet on sports.”

Ohtani added that Mizuhara was “stealing money from my account and has been telling lies”.

So why was it key that he denied everything, including selflessly wiring $4.5 million to a California bookmaker to cover his good friend’s gambling debts?

Here’s why.

California is one of ten states where gambling on sports is unlawful. The California Penal Code provides that it’s a crime to knowingly make, offer or accept a bet. So a person can be charged criminally simply for participating as a gambler.

On top of that, a person can be charged with a conspiracy in connection with unlawful gambling. And that would include willfully wiring funds to a bookmaker.

So even if Ohtani didn't place unlawful bets with a California bookmaker, he could still be criminally charged if he willfully or intentionally wired funds to cover the gambling debts.

The knowingly part is important. If Ohtani wired funds to the bookmaker but was not aware it was to cover gambling debts, then he would not be charged. It would, however, be difficult for Ohtani to say he wired millions of dollars to a bookmaker without knowing the reason. So the better defence is to deny any involvement (which may of course be the absolute truth).

This is the reason during his press conference he said he never "willfully" sent money to a bookmaker. This is also the reason the Ohtani camp declared he never wired any funds after his interpreter initially indicated that Ohtani wired the money and was aware of the reason for sending the money.

So by declaring that he never wired the funds and the money was stolen, Ohtani is seeking to insulate himself from criminal charges as it relates to the unlawful betting.

As well, by denying he wired the funds he is seeking to avoid criminal liability as it relates to tax fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud. The IRS does not take too kindly to these types of activities.

The one issue that was not addressed during his press conference was how and why Mizuhara had access to his bank account and how Ohtani was not alerted to the wire transfers, which would have been flagged by the bank given their significant amount.

So more to come.