The intricate and nefarious web that surrounds the Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal continues to grow. The former Dodgers employee and interpreter apparently used the same bookie as a former Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim infielder.
Former LA Angels infielder David Fletcher reportedly placed bets with Mathew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker who took wagers from Mizuhara. On Monday, ESPN reported that Major League Baseball was investigating Fletcher, who currently plays for the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.
Bowyer took illegal bets from Fletcher, allegedly laundering the money in Vegas
California sports betting is illegal. Bookmakers often set up offshore, accept wagers outside a regulated market, and pose a danger to consumers.
Bowyer allegedly accepted tens of millions of dollars from Mizuhara, who investigators accuse of stealing most or all of that money from Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani, who inked a record-setting $700 million contract last season, has not been implicated in any wrongdoing. State and federal law enforcement have classified Ohtani as a victim in Mizuhara’s scheme.
According to ESPN, Fletcher wagered on sports other than baseball. But a friend, identified as former minor league baseball player Colby Schultz, did place bets on Angels games in which Fletcher played.
Bowyer faces charges of illegal bookmaking and has also become embroiled in a scandal that has led to the resignation of Scott Sibella, the former head of Resorts World Las Vegas. It’s alleged Bowyer wagered money he had earned from his illegal bookmaking activities at Resorts World.
In March, Fletcher reportedly admitted to ESPN that he had been at a high-stakes poker game in Las Vegas where Bowyer met Mizuhara.
MLB has strict rules that prohibit players from placing bets on baseball. They also prohibit activity with any illegal bookmaker. Those restrictions extend to athletes in the minor leagues.
