LOS ANGELES – Ippei Mizuhara, the former translator for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to allegedly embezzling up to $17 million from Ohtani’s personal accounts to settle significant gambling debts, according to a statement released by the Justice Department on Wednesday.

Charges and Potential Sentence

Mizuhara has agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud, which could result in a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, along with an additional count of filing a false tax return, potentially adding three more years to his sentence.

Allegations of Embezzlement

The Justice Department asserts that Mizuhara stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s personal bank account without his knowledge to address his gambling debts, leveraging his position of trust as Ohtani’s interpreter to carry out the scheme.

Exploiting Trust and Language Barrier

Mizuhara’s proficiency in Japanese and English allowed him to facilitate the fraud, particularly during a trip to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2018, where he assisted Ohtani in establishing a bank account. Mizuhara’s translation services during this process provided him with access to Ohtani’s bank account credentials, which he later exploited for illicit purposes.

Gambling Addiction and Financial Mismanagement

According to the criminal complaint, Mizuhara engaged in extensive illegal sports betting, accumulating a staggering $40 million debt over two years, leading him to tap into Ohtani’s funds to cover his losses. Mizuhara allegedly altered the login credentials and contact information associated with Ohtani’s bank account to conceal his activities.

Misappropriation of Funds

Over the ensuing years, Mizuhara purportedly utilized Ohtani’s money for various personal expenses, including dental procedures and collectible baseball cards, while deceiving Ohtani’s agents and financial advisors about the true nature of the transactions.

Ongoing Fallout and Shock

Shohei Ohtani expressed profound shock upon learning of Mizuhara’s betrayal, reiterating his innocence regarding any involvement in or knowledge of Mizuhara’s actions. Ohtani has consistently denied any participation in sports betting, maintaining that he was unaware of Mizuhara’s misuse of his funds.

Conclusion: Justice Sought in Ohtani Theft Case

As Ippei Mizuhara prepares to enter his guilty plea, the case underscores the vulnerability of athletes to financial exploitation and the importance of safeguarding against such abuses of trust. Shohei Ohtani’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for stringent oversight and accountability measures within professional sports circles to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Sources:

• Justice Department statement
• Criminal complaint filed in federal court

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