Mathew Bowyer Expected to Enter Pleas for Gambling Operation

Posted on: August 5, 2024, 09:25h. 

Last updated on: August 5, 2024, 09:25h.

Mathew R. Bowyer, an accused bookmaker who is linked with MLB former translator Ippei Mizuhara, is expected to plead guilty on Friday to charges, according to federal prosecutors.

Bowyer, 49, of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., will admit to three counts: operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return, prosecutors revealed in a recent statement.

When appearing before Judge John W. Holcomb, Bowyer eventually could be sentenced for up to 10 years for money laundering, up to five years for unlawful gambling, and up to three years for the false tax return charge.

Bowyer will forfeit $257,923 in cash and $14,830 in casino chips under the expected plea deal.

In his 2022 tax year return, Bowyer reported $607,897 in income. His unreported income was $4,030,938, prosecutors said.

Bowyer ran the illegal gambling operation between 2018 and 2023. He had more than 700 clients.

The business was based in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and in Orange County. Costa Rican-based websites were used, too. Casino hosts, agents, and others were involved.

Bowyer ran the business sometimes while gambling at a casino and he sometimes paid agents with casino chips.

He reportedly “transferred or directed the transfer” of at least $9.3M to Resorts World Las Vegas, according to ESPN. He also reportedly lost at least $4M at the gaming property, and reality TV celebrity Ryan Boyajian lost at least $1.6M at the casino, ESPN added.

Ippei Mizuhara To Be Sentenced

Among Bowyer’s customers were pro athletes, and Ippei Mizuhara, the man who translated for Los Angeles Dodgers star player Shohei Ohtani.

Mizuhara stole some $17M from Ohtani to pay off massive gambling debts. Ohtani was a victim in the scheme.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty on June 4 to bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 25.

Between 2021 and 2024, Mizuhara placed at least 19K bets with Bowyer’s gambling operation. Mizuhara’s winning bets were about $142,256,769 and losing bets were about $182,935,206.

Steven Katzman, Boyajian’s attorney, said Boyajian didn’t work as a bookmaker or a sub-bookie, ESPN reported. Boyajian was granted immunity for cooperating with federal authorities, according to ESPN.

Resorts World Cooperating

We are aware of the press release from the DOJ about Mathew R. Bowyer pleading guilty to federal charges,” a Resorts World Las Vegas spokesperson told ESPN last week. “We are cooperating with their ongoing investigation, and we do not comment on pending legal matters.”

“Mr. Bowyer is looking forward to accepting responsibility for his actions,” Bowyer’s lawyer, Diane Bass, further told ESPN last week.