Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for stealing $17 million to pay off gambling debts.
Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years for Stealing $17 Million
A former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for stealing $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player to cover gambling debts.
Ippei Mizuhara, who once served as Ohtani’s translator and unofficial manager, received a sentence of four years and nine months. U.S. District Judge John Holcomb also ordered him to pay back over $18 million.
Mizuhara had pleaded guilty last year. His lawyer, Michael Freedman, declined to comment on the sentencing.
Prosecutors: Mizuhara Betrayed Ohtani
Joseph McNally, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said in a statement:
“Mizuhara had exploited this dream job to steal millions of dollars from his friend and confidant.”
Mizuhara, 40, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return. He admitted to embezzling nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account, which he had helped open in Phoenix in 2018. He transferred the money without Ohtani’s knowledge to pay off gambling debts to an illegal bookmaker.
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Ohtani Not Involved in Gambling
When announcing the bank fraud charges last year, former U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada made it clear that Ohtani had done nothing wrong. He said there was no evidence that Ohtani had bet on baseball or knowingly paid a bookmaker.
Ohtani himself has stated that he was unaware of the theft and had no involvement in gambling.
Mizuhara Impersonated Ohtani to Steal Money
Prosecutors said Mizuhara started gambling with an illegal bookmaker in late 2021 and quickly lost large amounts of money.
To cover his debts, he pretended to be Ohtani on more than 24 phone calls with bank employees. This trick allowed him to transfer money from Ohtani’s account without his permission.
Ohtani’s Historic MLB Contract
Ohtani, 30, is one of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball. He signed a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers last season, making him the highest-paid player in MLB history. His ability to both pitch and hit at a high level has drawn comparisons to baseball legend Babe Ruth.
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