MLB could investigate David Fletcher for questionable gambling activity, source says
However, MLB has not confirmed an official inquiry.
Former Angels player David Fletcher could soon be under investigation by Major League Baseball, according to a recent Associated Press report. MLB is expected to investigate the former player “for gambling on sports with a bookmaker who also took bets from Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter.”
A person familiar with the circumstances shared this information with the Associated Press but continued to remain anonymous “because they weren’t at liberty to discuss such impending matters.”
According to ESPN reports, Fletcher placed wagers with an alleged illegal Southern California bookmaker named Mathew Bowyer. Sources said that Fletcher wagered on “several sports” that did not include baseball.
MLB has not yet commented on the situation.
In related news, Ippei Mizuhara was formally charged with bank fraud. According to the legal complaint, the transfers took place between November 2021 and January 2024.
Mizuhara was recently fired by the Dodgers because of illegal gambling allegations.
The charges stem from the results of a federal investigation, which uncovered evidence that Mizuhara “unlawfully transferred more than $16m from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off gambling debts to an illegal bookmaking operation.”
Mizuhara previously served as Shohei Ohtani’s translator. He is due to appear in United States District Court in LA “in the coming days.”
United States Attorney for the Central District of California Martin Estrada pointed out the likelihood that none of the transfers were authorized due to lack of evidence.
He said, “I want to emphasize this point: Mr. Ohtani is considered a victim in this case.
“There is no evidence to indicate that Mr. Ohtani authorized the over $16m of transfers from his account to the bookmakers.”
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