Bookmaker Bowyer sentenced in Ohtani betting case tied to Mizuhara

A Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports wagers from the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was sentenced Friday to 12 months and one day in federal prison for running an illegal gambling business, money laundering and filing a false tax return. The sentencing took place in federal court in Santa Ana, where the judge also ordered Mathew Bowyer to repay 1.6 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and to serve two years of supervised release after his prison term.

Federal prosecutors had sought a 15 month sentence but urged leniency because Bowyer provided substantial assistance in broader investigations into illegal sports betting. In court, the judge said the sentence could have been harsher but was persuaded by Bowyer's cooperation, recent efforts to help others with gambling problems and the strong support shown by family and friends. The judge added that some prison time was necessary given the tax offense.

The case is part of a sweeping federal probe that led to the arrest and conviction of Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani's former Japanese language interpreter, who is serving an approximately five year sentence for bank...