Lionsgate Developing TV Series Based on Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal

Lionsgate is developing a television series based around the ongoing gambling scandal between MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

The series will be produced by Scott Delman and Albert Chen, and will follow the story of Ohtani’s rise as one of the best baseball players in the league and his eventual record-setting $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The series will also chronicle the ongoing allegations that his interpreter stole money from him in order to pay off gambling debts. Just this week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced that Mizuhara had agreed to plead guilty in the scandal.

What happened with Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter?

In March, an ESPN investigation uncovered wire transfers of $500,000 from Ohtani’s bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation.

The transfers were initially said to be made by Mizuhara with Ohtani’s permission to help him pay off debts, but it was later uncovered that Ohtani likely had no knowledge of the wire transfers or his interpreter/friend’s gambling issues.

Following more investigation, Mizuhara was charged with felony bank fraud and submitting a false tax return after authorities found out that he had stolen nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off debts. Mizuhara’s arraignment is scheduled for next week, with a sentencing date to follow.