Dan Bilzerian, Dad Dope Biz Charged, Ex-Ohtani Interpreter Bookie Off to Europe Weeks After Guilty Plea

Federal prosecutors announced criminal charges this week against a cannabis company owned by frequent poker player and social media personality Dan Bilzerian, once known as "The King of Instagram", along with his father Paul Bilzerian and Ignite executive Scott Rohleder.

Charges included conspiracy to defraud the United States and wire fraud.

According to prosecutors, the defendants conspired to thwart securities regulators from collecting on judgments against the elder Bilzerian, a former Wall Street investor.

The government alleges Ignite misled investors about revenue and sales. The announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office includes some mentions of Dan Bilzerian and refers to him as “D.B.” The government notes that “Rohleder allegedly assisted in the preparation of D.B.’s tax returns, which included false and fraudulent representations that caused a tax loss of approximately $1,536,949 to the IRS for the tax years 2018 to 2020.”

Prosecutors describe a deep scheme to funnel money into various enterprises while hiding Paul Bilzerian’s involvement and concealing correct financial figures from investors.

“The allegations against Mr. Bilzerian and his co-defendants paint a picture of a long-running, complex scheme to avoid their financial obligations,” IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher said.

Bookie for Ohtani Ex-Interpreter Receives Permission for Europe Trip Weeks After Guilty Plea

Mathew Bowyer, an LA area bookie said to be cooperating with feds, will spend the first two weeks of October on vacation in Europe just week's after pleading guilty to running an illegal betting business.

A federal judge in Bowyer’s case approved a motion that allowed the bookmaker to travel to Italy for a celebration of his father-in-law’s 70th birthday.

The illegal bookmaker, who allegedly took millions in action from MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani’s ex interpreter, is awaiting sentencing on several charges in February.

Bowyer pleaded guilty this summer to operating an illegal gambling business, transactional money laundering and filing a false tax return. Ippei Mizuhara, Bowyer’s top client, placed more than $315 million in wagers with the illicit sports betting ring.

By  Nagesh Rath Born in Punjab, India, Nagesh has been writing for the Gambling911.com website since 2019.  He mostly covers the more controversial stories impacting the world of gambling, specializing in poker. Nagesh's favorite sport is cricket.  This beat reporter operates from our Miami Beach base where he resides with his wonderful wife Ravjeer and three daughters.