Shohei Ohtani’s Former Interpreter Faces Federal Court Appearance

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for renowned Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, is set to make his initial appearance in federal court on Friday, marking the commencement of legal proceedings regarding allegations of embezzling $16 million from Ohtani. The federal criminal complaint, accompanied by a 36-page affidavit, was filed on Thursday in the US District Court in Los Angeles, accusing Mizuhara, aged 39, of engaging in bank fraud.

The charges assert that Mizuhara illicitly siphoned funds from an account belonging to Ohtani, a client he had previously assisted in setting up the said account. It is alleged that Mizuhara transferred the misappropriated funds to an illegal sports gambling operation without Ohtani’s consent, with prosecutors making it clear that Ohtani himself is not under suspicion of any wrongdoing.

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During Friday’s court appearance at the US District Court for the Central District of California, Mizuhara is not expected to enter a plea. Instead, he is anticipated to be released on bond, with an arraignment date likely to be scheduled in the ensuing weeks, as indicated by federal prosecutors.

In a statement issued on Thursday, US Attorney E. Martin Estrada underscored Ohtani’s status as a victim in the case, emphasizing that there is no evidence suggesting Ohtani’s involvement in or authorization of the transfers totaling over $16 million. Ohtani, who recently inked a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, vehemently denied any association with the illegal activities orchestrated by Mizuhara.

The swift resolution of this legal matter averted a potential scandal of monumental proportions for both the Dodgers and Major League Baseball, evoking memories of the controversy surrounding Pete Rose’s alleged gambling on baseball games during his tenure with the Cincinnati Reds.

Ohtani, often likened to baseball legend Babe Ruth for his dual prowess as a hitter and pitcher, categorically asserted his innocence during a press conference on March 25th, labeling himself as a victim of Mizuhara’s theft and vehemently denying any involvement in sports betting or transactions with bookmakers.

In the event of a conviction on the single count of bank fraud leveled against him, Mizuhara could face a maximum prison sentence of up to 30 years. Meanwhile, Mizuhara’s legal representative, Michael Freedman, declined to offer any comment on the pending charge when contacted by Reuters.

The federal affidavit reveals that Mizuhara’s foray into illegal sports betting commenced in late 2021, resulting in substantial losses. To offset his mounting debts, Mizuhara resorted to impersonating Ohtani over the phone, employing deceptive tactics to persuade bank personnel into authorizing wire transfers from Ohtani’s account, where his professional baseball earnings were deposited.