When two-time Los Angeles Dodgers prima Shohei Ohtani arrived successful the MLB, helium kept his representation simple: each helium cared astir was baseball. This helped support him successful 2024 erstwhile his erstwhile translator, Ippei Mizuhara, stole millions to screen amerciable debts.
Many journalists past came to his defense, claiming that helium couldn't stake due to the fact that his full absorption was connected the game. The nationalist mostly believed that story. Ohtani seemed similar a uncommon talent, idiosyncratic who didn't attraction astir things disconnected the field.
Now, a caller suit has surfaced, reported by The Japan News, and it paints a wholly antithetic picture. It portrays Ohtani arsenic a personage who meddles successful lucrative projects and uses his popularity to compression others retired of them.
Hawaiian task and accusations
In a suit filed successful Hawaii, developer Kevin Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto impeach Ohtani and his cause Nez Balelo of sabotaging a $240 cardinal luxury lodging task connected the Hapuna seashore of the Big Island. They assertion that they person been moving connected this occupation for much than 10 years.
In 2023, Ohtani was signed arsenic the look of The Vista astatine Mauna Kea Resort project. The woody was to bargain 1 of the 14 multi-million dollar mansions, bid determination successful the off-season and usage his fame to pull affluent buyers, particularly from Japan. Planned houses outgo an mean of 17.3 cardinal dollars.
The suit alleges that aft Balelo's engagement successful the project, helium became progressively demanding towards the main concern partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital. He reportedly pushed for Hayes and Matsumoto to beryllium kicked retired of the task – and Kingsbarn admitted they did truthful "solely to please" Ohtani's team.
Hayes and Matsumoto assertion that the determination outgo them millions successful profits and commissions. They impeach Ohtani and Balelo of "deliberate interference successful concern relations" and "unjust enrichment". Ohtani's bureau did not comment.
This lawsuit calls into question his cautiously constructed image.
Although his shot career, $700 cardinal declaration and MVP signifier are not successful jeopardy, the nationalist present sees that Ohtani is not lone an jock - helium is besides a businessman, and the concern satellite tin beryllium dirty.
So far, the suit presents lone 1 broadside of the story, and his squad has yet to respond publicly.