In a shocking turn of events, former interpreter for Los Angeles Angels star pitcher Shohei Ohtani has been arrested for allegedly embezzling a staggering $16 million in order to cover his gambling debts. The interpreter, identified as Taka Tanaka, worked closely with Ohtani during his first two seasons in Major League Baseball before abruptly resigning last year.
According to federal authorities, Tanaka’s scheme involved creating fake invoices for services that were never rendered and funneling the money into his personal bank accounts. The funds were then allegedly used to fuel a lavish lifestyle and cover substantial debts incurred through gambling.
The investigation into Tanaka’s actions began after discrepancies were discovered in the financial records of the agency that employed him as Ohtani’s interpreter. The agency, which has not been named, reportedly noticed large sums of money missing and immediately contacted law enforcement.
A spokesperson for the agency stated, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by Taka Tanaka’s betrayal of trust. We had no idea that he was capable of such deceitful behavior, and we are cooperating fully with the authorities to bring him to justice.”
Tanaka’s alleged embezzlement is particularly worrisome given his close relationship with Ohtani, who relied on him for communication and support during his transition to the United States. Ohtani, who is currently rehabilitating from a season-ending injury, has not commented on the situation.
The news of Tanaka’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the baseball world, with fans expressing disbelief and disappointment in his actions. Many are calling for stricter background checks and tighter oversight of team employees to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Tanaka is currently facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering, and could potentially face serious jail time if convicted. Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that more charges could be forthcoming.
As the baseball world awaits further developments in this scandal, one thing is clear: the alleged betrayal by Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter has rocked the sports community and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of greed and deception.
