S
hohei Ohtani is facing controversy once again, this time over a lawsuit filed by a Hawaii real estate investor and broker. The plaintiff claims that Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, got him fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Hapuna Coast after using their celebrity influence to take control of the project.

    According to the lawsuit, Balelo became a "disruptive force" and threatened to remove Ohtani if certain concessions weren't met. The plaintiff alleges that this led to his firing in what was described as a "coordinated ambush." The lawsuit claims that Ohtani and Balelo exploited their celebrity status for financial gain.

    Ohtani, who has had previous run-ins with the law, including a gambling scandal involving his interpreter, downplayed the controversy. "I'm focused on what the team is doing and doing everything in my power to make sure we bring a W on the field," he said after a 6-5 loss to the Angels.

    The lawsuit adds to Ohtani's distractions as the Dodgers struggle to stay competitive. They fell into second place behind the Padres in the NL West, with a mediocre start from Ohtani that saw him allow four earned runs and seven strikeouts over five innings. The team begins a three-game home series against the Padres on Friday.