Prosecutors Propose Lenient Sentence for Bookie Who Helped Convict Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter

Federal prosecutors have proposed just a 15-month sentence for illegal bookie Mathew Bowyer, who provided “substantial assistance to the government” in its prosecution of MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter in the notorious sports betting scandal.

Bowyer’s cooperation helped convict Ippei Mizuhara, who stole $17 million from Ohtani to fund his gambling habit, and bookie Damien LeForbes.

Mizuhara is currently serving a 57-month sentence. LeForbes, who is awaiting sentencing after accepting a plea deal for unlawful gambling business and money laundering, faces up to 15 years in prison and related fines.

Bowyer’s proposed sentence, scheduled to be imposed next week, is “far less than the 41 to 51 months calculated in the government’s presentence report” due to his cooperation and previous lack of criminal history.

Bowyer’s information “contributed to the government’s ability to interpret recovered text messages and execute a search warrant” on LeForbes in December 2023. Fellow bookie Leforbes declined to comment on Bowyer’s decision to cooperate against him.

Bowyer stated: “It makes me look like I’m a rat. Damian and I had a relationship and a friendship, and I was gambling through his operation.”

Bowyer also acknowledged that he owes LeForbes “an undisclosed amount of losses.”

What Was Bowyer’s Role in the Ohtani Scandal?

Mizuhara placed bets with Bowyer and still reportedly owes him $23 million, which will “likely never be paid back, but [he was] ordered to return the $17 million to Ohtani.”

Bowyer pleaded guilty to three federal charges last year: operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and tax evasion. Notably, he failed to report more than $4 million in income tax.

Still, federal prosecutors in California filed a motion on Friday that included imposing a “sentence outside federal guidelines” that could have maxed out at four years and three months.

The motion noted that Bowyer’s business “placed and accepted bets on sporting events for its clients, and employed agents and sub-agents, including casino hosts, who referred and recruited clients, demanded and collected on bettors’ losses and distributed winnings.”

According to government officials, Bowyer accepted responsibility for his actions and will make restitution on the unpaid taxes as part of the plea agreement. Bowyer is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

Resorts World & MGM Resorts Implicated in Bowyer’s Case

A significant amount of Bowyer’s money laundering activities took place at Resorts World Las Vegas, which received a $10.5 million fine, marking the second-largest penalty ever imposed in Nevada’s gaming history. Bowyer, LeForbes, and another gambler lost an estimated $24 million at Resorts World, with much of it believed to be laundered gambling proceeds. 

In addition to Resorts World, MGM Resorts was issued an $8.5 million fine for allowing Bowyer and illegal bookie Wayne Nix to bet at the MGM Grand. 

Resorts World also hired Bowyer’s wife, Nicole, to be his personal host at the casino. Nicole Bowyer received commission payments that totaled $660,000 based on her husband’s gambling in 2022 & 2023. She faced an investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board early this year, and later agreed to a five-year ban on her independent agent license.