ESPN just dropped new audio from Shohei Ohtani’s gambling scandal. The clip captures former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara pretending to be the star. He authorizes a $200,000 transfer on a February 2022 phone call.
The recording comes from a fresh 30 for 30 podcast series titled “The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani.” It brings the case back into the spotlight more than two years later.
Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Caught on Tape
Mizuhara speaks on the call as if he is Ohtani. He works to approve the money transfer to bookmaker Mathew Bowyer’s account.
Bank agent: “Who am I speaking with?”
Ippei Mizuhara (posing as Ohtani): “Shohei Ohtani.”
Mizuhara: “So I tried to log in to online banking, and it tells me that it’s not available to me at this time and try to call.”
Bank agent: (asks for the name of the payee and the amount of the transaction)
Mizuhara: “It’s for $200,000.”
When asked the reason for the transfer, Mizuhara says it is “for a car loan.” When asked about his relationship to the payee, he replies, “He’s my friend.”
This is the actual recording of Ippei Mizuhara claiming to be Shohei Ohtani during a call to authorize a transfer of funds to Mathew Bowyer’s account.
Listen to the first two episodes of “The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani” on July 28, wherever you get your podcasts 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/dwBgfIiZ7K
— ESPN (@espn) July 27, 2026
Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani’s accounts overall. He used the funds for massive sports betting. A judge sentenced him to 57 months in prison in 2025.
He also received an order to repay the full amount. Ohtani maintained he knew nothing about the thefts. Major League Baseball cleared the two-way star of any wrongdoing.
The podcast will feature Mizuhara speaking publicly for the first time since his sentencing. Early trailers already include him confirming permission to record an interview.
Shohei Ohtani Case Returns With Fresh Details
Bowyer has claimed he believes Ohtani knew about the gambling activity. He also stated that Ohtani himself never placed the bets. Those comments add another layer to the ongoing discussion.
Mizuhara won roughly $142 million through the bets but lost about $183 million. The scheme eventually collapsed under its own weight. A Las Vegas casino later faced a $10.5 million fine tied to the money-laundering side of the case.
The new podcast series aims to dig deeper into every angle. It arrives as Ohtani continues his career with the Dodgers. The scandal had largely faded until this audio surfaced.
The first episodes drop on July 28. Listeners will hear the full context of the recorded call and more.
The release of the audio keeps the story alive. Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter left a clear trail of deception that prosecutors used to build their case. The podcast now lets the public hear it directly.
