Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has found himself embroiled in yet another scandal, this time involving Los Angeles Angels pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani. Donaghy, who was convicted of gambling on games he officiated back in 2007, is now claiming that Ohtani was aware of his interpreter’s gambling addiction and did nothing to stop it.
According to Donaghy, Ohtani’s interpreter, who has not been named, had a severe gambling problem that was well-known among the Angels organization. Donaghy alleges that Ohtani was fully aware of his interpreter’s addiction and even benefited from it.
“Ohtani absolutely knew about his interpreter’s gambling problem,” Donaghy stated in a recent interview. “He knew that his interpreter was placing bets on games, including ones that Ohtani was pitching or playing in. It’s clear to me that Ohtani turned a blind eye to the situation because it was helping him win games.”
Ohtani, who has been a sensation in Major League Baseball since coming over from Japan in 2018, has denied Donaghy’s claims. In a statement released through his agent, Ohtani stated, “I had no knowledge of my interpreter’s gambling addiction. I am deeply disappointed by these baseless allegations and will be taking legal action against Tim Donaghy.”
The Angels organization has also issued a statement in support of Ohtani, saying, “We have no reason to believe that Shohei Ohtani was aware of his interpreter’s gambling addiction. We take these allegations very seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.”
Donaghy’s credibility has been called into question numerous times in the past, but his claims have once again stirred up controversy in the sports world. The former referee has been involved in various illegal activities since leaving the NBA, including a brief stint in prison for his role in a gambling scandal.
As the investigation into Donaghy’s claims continues, the sports world is left to wonder what impact, if any, this latest scandal will have on Shohei Ohtani’s reputation and career. The Angels are currently in the thick of the playoff race, and Ohtani’s performance on the field will undoubtedly be under a microscope as the season progresses.
