Ohtani’s ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara sentenced to 4 years, 9 months in prison
Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud. Mizuhara stole almost $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account, leading to his guilty plea last year and subsequent sentencing in federal court in Santa Ana.
The judge ordered Mizuhara to pay $18 million in restitution, with the majority going to Ohtani and the rest to the IRS. In addition to the prison sentence, Mizuhara was given three years of supervised release and instructed to surrender to authorities by March 24. U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb emphasized the shockingly high amount stolen and expressed hope that Mizuhara would be able to repay the sum in the future.
During the court proceedings, Mizuhara expressed remorse and apologized to Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the government, and his family. He admitted to using the stolen money for gambling debts, baseball cards, and personal expenses. His attorney refrained from commenting on the case post-hearing.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally highlighted Mizuhara’s exploitation of Ohtani’s language barrier and vulnerability as a non-English speaker in the world of celebrity baseball. He emphasized Ohtani’s status as a victim of Mizuhara’s deceitful actions.
Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael Freedman, argued for a shorter sentence, citing his client’s gambling addiction fueled by access to significant funds through an illegal bookmaker. Federal prosecutor Jeff Mitchell underscored the financial and reputational damage inflicted on Ohtani by Mizuhara’s actions.
The case emerged from a wider investigation into illegal sports betting operations in Southern California and money laundering through Las Vegas casinos. Mizuhara gained unauthorized access to Ohtani’s account and used the funds for personal gain, excluding baseball-related bets.
Born in Japan, Mizuhara moved to California as a child and later returned to Japan to work as an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team and Ohtani. The close relationship between Mizuhara and Ohtani extended beyond professional duties, with Mizuhara accompanying Ohtani through his career milestones and personal endeavors.
Despite the betrayal, Ohtani and the Dodgers achieved success on the field, winning the World Series and securing Ohtani’s third MVP award. Mizuhara’s sentencing serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of financial fraud and exploitation, especially within the realm of professional sports.
