02/06/25 10:06:00
Printable Page
02/06 10:04 CST Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter to appear in court for
sentencing in betting case
Baseball star Ohtani's ex-interpreter to appear in court for sentencing in
betting case
By AMY TAXIN
Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) --- The former interpreter for Japanese baseball star
Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced Thursday for bank and tax fraud after
he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player's bank account.
Federal prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months
for Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between Ohtani and his
English-speaking teammates and fans as the duo traveled from Southern
California to ballparks across the U.S. But Mizuhara exploited the
Japanese-English language barrier to isolate Ohtani and profit from his
proximity to the two-way player 's power.
Mizuhara is scheduled to appear in federal court in the Orange County city of
Santa Ana. He pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud after he was
accused of stealing money to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an
illegal bookmaker, in addition to $325,000 worth of baseball cards and his own
dental bills.
The case affected arguably the world's most famous baseball player --- who
previously pitched for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim --- and stoked an
international media frenzy. It stemmed from a broader probe into illegal sports
bookmaking organizations in Southern California and the laundering of proceeds
through casinos in Las Vegas that has netted a dozen defendants.
"His years-long theft of funds from Mr. Ohtani and the myriad lies he told to
Mr. Ohtani's agents and financial advisors to cover up his theft represent a
calculated betrayal of the very person he was hired to help," prosecutors wrote
in court papers.
They want Mizuhara to pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1 million
to the Internal Revenue Service.
In a letter to the court, Mizuhara described his financial strain and addiction
to gambling, which he had hoped would alleviate his money problems. He also
professed his admiration of Ohtani, and his remorse.
"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 accessed Ohtani's account beginning in 2021 and changed its security
protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024,
Mizuhara had used the money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at
online resellers and had bet tens of millions of dollars that weren't his to
wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football.
Prosecutors said Mizuhara never bet on baseball, and Ohtani was an unknowing
victim of the scheme.
"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 wrote.
Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara's attorney, wrote in court filings that his
client is a gambling addict who made a "terrible mistake" and has suffered from
a loss of a job and reputation. Mizuhara takes responsibility for his actions
and expects to be deported to his native Japan after serving time, Freedman
wrote while asking for a sentence of one and a half years.
Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California with his parents when he was
6. He struggled to learn English but eventually did, and he returned to Japan
in 2013 to become an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team and later for
Ohtani, according to court filings.
The two formed a tight-knit bond, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani in 2018 to the
U.S., where he took on numerous errands for the player such as grocery
shopping, Freedman wrote.
Inside baseball, Mizuhara stood by Ohtani's side for many of the athlete's
career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the Home Run Derby at the
2021 All-Star Game, to being there for his two American League MVP wins and his
record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal 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 keep
speaking to Ohtani, and he was rehired after a deal was struck.
Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and the baseball star
won his third Most Valuable Player award.
|