Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani spoke publicly for the first time since alleging his interpreter perpetrated a "massive theft" of funds tied to gambling debts.

The two-time MVP declined to take questions from reporters but issued a statement addressing the ongoing story. He denied ever having bet on sporting events, either directly or through a third party:

"Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies," Ohtani also said.

The three-time All-Star told reporters he's "completely assisting in all investigations" and "looking forward to focusing on the season."

ESPN's Tisha Thompson first reported on March 20 the Dodgers fired Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani's friend and interpreter, after information surfaced about wire transfers totaling at least $4.5 million that were sent from Ohtani's bank account.

Further questions were raised when Ohtani's representatives presented two different explanations for the transfers.

Thompson reported one of his spokesmen said the money was intended to pay off Mizuhara's gambling debt, with Mizuhara himself detailing the series of events. However, the spokesman quickly "disavowed Mizuhara's account," per Thompson, and a law firm representing Ohtani said he "has been the victim of a massive theft."

The Los Angeles Times' Gustavo Arellano, Adam Elmahrek, Nathan Fenno and Paul Pringle provided more on gambling allegations surrounding Mizuhara.

Federal investigators have been looking into Mathew Bowyer, a bookmaker in Southern California, with whom Mizuhara had been placing his bets. Diane Bass, a lawyer for Bowyer, told the Times her client "never met, spoke with, or texted, or had contact in any way with Shohei Ohtani." The Times, however, cited a source who said he had "bragged" in an least one instance of having an "Ohtani connection."

In a subsequent report, Thompson laid out the full timeline for how the story evolved and included conflicting accounts, a situation that was complicated by Los Angeles' participation in the Seoul Series.

According to Thompson, Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter addressed the team in the clubhouse to say a major story about Ohtani was forthcoming. Mizuhara spoke to the team shortly thereafter and said he has a gambling addiction. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reportedly stood up during the meeting and said Ohtani intervened to pay down Mizuhara's losses.

Per Thompson, it was only later when Ohtani was made fully aware of what was said in the clubhouse and disputed the framing: "According to the Dodgers official and Ohtani's spokesman, Ohtani's representatives had continued to rely on Mizuhara to communicate with Ohtani while they were dealing with the situation, and Mizuhara did not tell Ohtani what was happening."

That's why Ohtani's representative and lawyers adamantly contradicted what Mizuhara initially communicated to reporters. More context was provided during Monday's statement:

To this point, there's no information pointing to Ohtani himself making the bets or Mizuhara placing wagers on baseball games.

MLB announced last Friday it has opened an investigation into Ohtani and Mizuhara.

Ohtani suited up for both games of the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres, and he started in Sunday's 5-3 spring training loss to the Los Angeles Angels as the Dodgers go through their final preparations before their official home opener on Thursday.