The scandal of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara dominated headlines for months last year. He stole moret han $17m from his boss and used it to gamble. Now the illegal bookie who accepted many of the wagers is getting ready to hear his fate.
Matthew Bowyer pleaded guilty in August 2024 to various charges, including running an illegal betting scheme and money laundering. The combined charges would add up to 18 years in prison if the case went to trial.
His legal team expected him to spend up to three years in prison, but the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has now proposed a 15-month sentence. Judge John Holcomb doesn’t have to accept this suggestion on August 29 and can decide to alter its length. This is the same judge who presided over Mizuhara’s case.
Bowyer has attempted to show that he’s a changed man. He has been active on social media, owning up to what he did and promising to talk to vulnerable people about the dangers of gambling.
helped put away gambling addict Ippei Mizuhara despite accepting almost 20,000 wagers from him
Other mitigating factors included his cooperation with the authorities, which led to the conviction of two other people. He helped put away gambling addict Ippei Mizuhara despite accepting almost 20,000 wagers from him and letting him lose $40.6m while suffering from gambling addiction. The former interpreter is currently serving a 57-month sentence.
The other conviction was of another former bookie named Damien LeForbes.
