CNN —A former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is in negotiations to plead guilty to federal crimes related to accusations he stole millions from Ohtani and used it for gambling, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the matter. Ippei Mizuhara was fired last month after Ohtani’s lawyers accused him of stealing from Ohtani and placing bets with a bookmaker who is under federal investigation. Ohtani later alleged Mizuhara stole the money from his bank account. “I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I’ve trusted has done this,” Ohtani, Major League Baseball’s only two-way player, said. ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, citing multiple unnamed sources, said on CNN’s “The Lead” last month at least $4.5 million was withdrawn via wire transfer from Ohtani’s bank accounts, though it was unclear who initiated the transfers.

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Persons: CNN —, Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Michael Freedman, “, ” Ohtani, I’ve, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, gambles, CNN’s Raja Razek, De la Fuente, Steve Almasy, Dalia Faheid, Elizabeth Wolfe Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Times, Prosecutors, Dodgers, MLB, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, Dodger, League Baseball’s, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, American League Locations: Ohtani, South Korea, Seoul, Korea