The former interpreter for Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced on Thursday for bank and tax fraud after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account.
Federal prosecutors are asking for a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ippei Mizuhara, who was hired to help Ohtani communicate with his English-speaking teammates and fans as they traveled across the U.S. However, Mizuhara took advantage of the language barrier to isolate Ohtani and steal from him.
Mizuhara is set to appear in federal court in Santa Ana, California. He pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud after being accused of stealing money to cover his gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, in addition to stealing $325,000 worth of baseball cards and his own dental bills.
This case has affected one of the most famous baseball players, who previously played for the Los Angeles Angels. It has also caused a media frenzy internationally. It came out of a wider investigation into illegal sports betting organizations in Southern California and money laundering at Las Vegas casinos, which has led to the arrest of a dozen people.
Mizuhara is scheduled to pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1 million to the Internal Revenue Service.
In a letter to the court, Mizuhara explained his financial troubles and addiction to gambling, which he had hoped would solve his money problems. He also expressed admiration for Ohtani and regret for what he had done.
“I am asking for a little mercy from the court concerning my sentence you will hand down,” Mizuhara wrote. “I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being, and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.”
Mizuhara started accessing Ohtani’s account in 2021 and changed the security settings so he could impersonate him and authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had spent the stolen money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online sellers and placed tens of millions of dollars in illegal bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football.
Prosecutors stated that Mizuhara never bet on baseball and that Ohtani was unaware of the theft.
“Let there be no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is truly a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, harm from defendant’s conduct,” prosecutors said.
Mizuhara’s lawyer, Michael G. Freedman, stated in court filings that Mizuhara is a gambling addict who made a “terrible mistake” and has already lost his job and reputation. Mizuhara accepts responsibility for his actions and expects to be deported to Japan after serving his sentence. Freedman has requested a sentence of one and a half years.
Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California at the age of 6. He had difficulty learning English but eventually did, and in 2013, he went back to Japan to work as an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team. Later, he became Ohtani’s interpreter, according to court records.
The two developed a close relationship, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani to the U.S. in 2018, where he handled many tasks for the player, including grocery shopping.
Throughout Ohtani’s career, Mizuhara stood by his side for major events, such as being his catcher at the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby, supporting him during his two American League MVP wins, and being present when Ohtani signed his record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Off the field, Mizuhara was Ohtani’s friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could continue working with Ohtani and was rehired once a deal was made.
Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and Ohtani received his third Most Valuable Player award.
