In 2024, California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer discovered himself on the heart of a sprawling federal investigation into bookmaking — and the largest scandal in sports activities. Bowyer, who operated an unlicensed playing operation, obtained tens of millions in wire transfers from the checking account of Los Angeles Dodgers celebrity Shohei Ohtani. That cash had been stolen by Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, who positioned greater than 19,000 wagers with Bowyer. The fallout included the arrest and conviction of Mizuhara, who’s serving almost 5 years in jail for financial institution and tax fraud. Meanwhile, Bowyer pleaded responsible to cash laundering and working an unlawful playing enterprise. Before his sentencing, he sat down with ESPN investigative reporter Tisha Thompson, revealing the inside workings of the multimillion-dollar scheme.
0:00 Introduction of Mathew Bowyer
1:00 Chapter 1: Ippei Mizuhara’s playing habit pt. 1
2:45 Chapter 2: Shohei Ohtani’s involvement
5:00 Chapter 3: Mizuhara’s playing habit pt. 2
6:25 Chapter 4: Ohtani takes authorized motion
7:35 Pleading responsible and accountability
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