The lead prosecutor of the investigation into illegal gambling by the former interpreter of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani has reportedly relinquished his role.
According to a report from the New York Post, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell resigned from his office on May 16 and will be paid through September. Mitchell stepped down after leading the prosecution of Ippei Mizuhara, a former interpreter who stole over $15 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts with an illegal bookie.
Mitchell was also investigating whether Ohtani wagered on any baseball contests. The attorney was also tied to the probe into Atlanta Braves minor league player David Fletcher, who also allegedly gambled with the same illegal gambling operation as Mizuhara.
Fletcher allegedly wagered with the bookie but did not bet on any baseball games.
MLB investigated Ohtani regarding whether he wagered on baseball contests. The probe determined that Ohtani was a victim of fraud. The resignation of Mitchell bodes well for the U.S. attorney’s inquiry into Ohtani and Fletcher as new charges are unlikely to be filed.
Mizuhara sentenced to prison time
Mitchell led the prosecution of Mizuhara, who was sentenced in February to four years and nine months in prison for siphoning millions from Ohtani’s bank accounts.
Mizuhara’s attorney asked for an 18-month sentence after Ohtani’s former interpreter pleaded guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges.
The bookie behind the illegal gambling operation, Matthew Bowyer, agreed to plead guilty in a California district court to operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering and subscribing to a false tax return. Bowyer has yet to be sentenced for his role in the scheme while Mizuhara has seen his prison report date pushed back to June 16.
Bowyer faces up to 18 years in prison. Mizuhara has been ordered to pay Ohtani $16.9 million as restitution. He will also pay the IRS $1.1 million for his fraudulent tax returns.
Resorts World tied to illegal sports betting scheme
Bowyer’s illegal gambling operation also impacted Nevada’s casino industry.
Earlier this year, Resorts World agreed to a proposed $10.5 million settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) for “unsuitable methods of operation” due to ties to Bowyer and illegal bookies. A disciplinary complaint was filed against Resorts World leading to a probe of the casino’s anti-money laundering program.
The investigation found that Resorts World allowed Bowyer to wager at its Las Vegas property without verifying his source of funds, including a $1 million front-money deposit. The source of funds included proceeds from his illegal gambling operation. Former Resorts World president Scott Sibella knew of Bowyer’s illicit gambling activity at Resorts World. As a result, Sibella was fired from Resorts World for violating company policies.
Resorts World’s fine was the second-largest in Nevada gaming history behind the $20 million fine handed to Wynn Resorts in 2019 for failing to investigate sexual misconduct.
