Ippei Mizuhara, formerly an interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers’ player Shohei Ohtani, has been released from federal custody on a $25,000 bond and subjected to various conditions, as reported by The Athletic’s Sam Blum. These conditions include restrictions on leaving the central district of California without permission, no contact with Ohtani, and enrollment in a gambler’s addiction program. Mizuhara, who has not entered a plea, is scheduled for arraignment on May 9.
ESPN’s Alden González initially reported Mizuhara’s surrender to law enforcement and subsequent federal custody. Mizuhara faces charges of bank fraud, allegedly embezzling over $16 million from Ohtani. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Additional charges such as wire fraud and aggravated identity theft may also be brought against him.
The charges stem from a federal affidavit alleging Mizuhara transferred $16 million from Ohtani’s account to an illegal sportsbook between November 2021 and January 2024, with Mizuhara allegedly placing 19,000 bets during that period. The affidavit claims Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani to approve transfers for some of the bets, which Ohtani denies authorizing.
During a press conference, officials portrayed Ohtani as a victim who cooperated fully with the investigation. Ohtani has known Mizuhara since 2013, and Mizuhara worked as his interpreter from his signing with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 until his termination by the Dodgers in March.
Ohtani, a two-way star, signed a landmark $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers in December, earning $2 million annually with $680 million deferred until the contract’s end. The news of Mizuhara’s charges follows the Department of Justice’s announcement of federal charges against him, prompted by a federal affidavit detailing the criminal complaint. Mizuhara’s arraignment is pending, and if convicted, he faces significant legal repercussions for his alleged actions against Ohtani.
