Doesnt Ober's fastball seem faster to the hitter because of his size? He's tall with a longer stride so his release comes from closer to the plate. Thats gotta help.
More then one of these public positions will definitely reposition before this ends. Fed offense convictions involving wire fraud can go up to 20yrs/$250k fine.
Ohtani also has to worry about the real possibilty of deportation with permanent bar on reentry if convicted.
Illegal bookmaker element is established. So did Ohtani place a bet? Did Ohtani knowingly pay the bookmaker to cover his friends debt? Is insuring that the bookmaker gets paid working for the bookmaker?
Big red flag---Why change story from Ohtani knowingly paying bookmaker to friend steals from Ohtani to pay bookmaker? Other then clumsy attempt to sheild Ohtani?
He was involved in a very meaningful way via wire transfers (more then one) from his bank account to an illegal bookie. 1st statement from interpreter says Ohtani OK'd the transfers and knew they were to pay illegal gambling debts owed said illegal bookie. Using wire transfers to pay this illegal debt makes it a Federal offense involving Ohtani. Thats why Ohtani's lawyers are now saying the interpreter stole the money in an attempt to disassociate Ohtani from wire transfering the money to pay an illegal debt.
Time will tell if the interpreter is willing to throw himself on the Federal offense conviction grenade to protect Ohtani and probably do prison time and if not US citizen get deported.