Ohtani's Former Interpreter Pleads Guilty to 2 Charges

'MLB considers Shohei Ohtani a victim of fraud and this matter has been closed'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 8, 2024 4:51 PM CDT
Updated Jun 4, 2024 6:56 PM CDT
Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter Agrees to Plead Guilty
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani, leaves federal court in Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 4, 2024.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
UPDATE Jun 4, 2024 6:56 PM CDT

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter could be facing a sentence of up to 33 years in prison, possibly followed by deportation to Japan, after pleading guilty to bank and tax fraud charges Tuesday. Ippei Mizuhara will be sentenced on Oct. 25, ESPN reports. Prosecutors said Mizuhara "committed a massive fraud" against his longtime friend Ohtani, stealing from the pitcher's accounts to cover massive gambling debts and even dental expenses. Major League Baseball, which had been carrying out its own investigation, said that now the criminal case has been resolved, "MLB considers Shohei Ohtani a victim of fraud and this matter has been closed."

May 8, 2024 4:51 PM CDT

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to two federal charges in connection with a gambling scandal that could send him to prison for more than 30 years. The US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said Wednesday that Ippei Mizuhara will plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, reports CBS Sports. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years, and the tax charge carries a sentence of up to three years, reports the AP.

Under a plea agreement, Mizuhara will be required to pay almost $17 million in restitution to the Dodgers superstar and more than $1.1 million to the IRS. Prosecutors say Mizuhari stole from Ohtani's accounts to pay off gambling debts, NBC Los Angeles reports. Ohtani has not been accused of wrongdoing, and there is no sign he was aware of Mizuhara's actions. "The extent of this defendant's deception and theft is massive," US Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. "He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit."

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Prosecutors said Mizuhara knew Ohtani's passwords and sometimes impersonated his longtime friend in phone calls to bankers, the AP reports. Mizuhara "exploited his relationship with Mr. Ohtani to bankroll his own irresponsibility," said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher. At a hearing last month, Mizuhara was ordered to undergo treatment for gambling addiction. (More Shohei Ohtani stories.)

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