California Bookie Anticipated to Receive 30-37 Month Prison Term

Mathew Bowyer, a 49-year-old man from San Juan Capistrano, California, who was investigated for running an illegal bookmaking business, is facing between two-and-half and three years in prison. Earlier this month, the US Attorney’s Office, Central District of California confirmed that the Southern Californian bookie is expected to plead guilty to three charges.

The 49-year-old man’s charges include running an illegal gambling business, subscribing to a false tax return and money laundering. On Friday, Bowyer pleaded guilty to the charges as expected and is now facing a prison sentence between 30 and 37 months.

Besides prison time, as a part of the guilty plea, the bookie will forfeit nearly $15,000 in casino chips. Bowyer is also expected to forfeit close to $258,000.

According to prosecutors, the bookie’s unreported income for 2022 was a sum north of $4 million. In contrast, when submitting his tax return for the aforementioned period, Bowyer reported only $607,897.

An investigation helped uncover the bookie’s activities. He was in charge of a large-scale illegal gambling business that operated between 2018 and 2023. Bowyer was in charge of more than 700 clients, including Ippei Mizuhara, the disgraced translator for Shohei Ohtani, the star of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Early last month, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to stealing from Ohtani as a way to cover a piling gambling debt.

Bowyer, “Relieved” to Accept Responsibility for His Actions

The former translator of the MLB star was accused of stealing nearly $17 million. Overall, Mizuhara was suspected of placing more than 19,000 wagers and he was among the clients of Bowyer, who operated from Orange County, Los Angeles and even Las Vegas. Following Mizuhara’s guilty plea, he is expected to appear for his sentencing on October 25, 2024.

Currently, Bowyer is represented by Diane Bass. Quoted by CBS News, the bookie’s attorney said that he is “very relieved to finally be able to accept responsibility for his conduct.”

She reaffirmed the potential sentence, which is expected to be 30 to 37 months, in line with federal guidelines. Finally, Bass said: “He is looking forward to his sentence so that he can put this chapter behind him and so he and his family can get on with their lives.”

Bowyer will appear in court on February 7, 2025. This is when his exact sentence will be confirmed.