Former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, has agreed to plead guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account to cover his own gambling debts. Mizuhara, 39, has agreed to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, which together carry a maximum sentence of 33 years in federal prison. Prosecutors stated that Mizuhara fraudulently obtained $16.9 million from Ohtani’s account and falsely reported his total taxable income to the IRS in 2022, admitting to receiving $4.1 million in unreported income, all from Ohtani’s account. This has left him owing approximately $1.1 million in taxes for 2022.
The fraudulent activities by Mizuhara began after he began placing bets with an illegal bookmaker in September 2021 and quickly became indebted to them. He made 36 wire transfers to bank accounts of associates of the bookmaker totaling $15 million between February 2022 and October 2023, along with three wires amounting to $1.25 million from late last year to January. Mizuhara’s arraignment is scheduled for May 14 in Los Angeles, where he will face further legal proceedings for his actions. Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers, was reportedly unaware of the situation and had not made any sports bets or knowingly sent money to a bookmaker.
Initially, Mizuhara had claimed that Ohtani agreed to pay off his gambling debts and transferred the money himself. However, he later recanted this statement and admitted that Ohtani was unaware of the payments or gambling debts. Representatives for Ohtani accused Mizuhara of stealing the player’s money, leading to his termination by the Dodgers and subsequent charges of bank fraud. Ohtani expressed shock at the situation, stating he had never engaged in sports betting or willingly sent money to a bookmaker. The case has raised questions about the responsibility of interpreters and support staff in professional sports settings and the need for strict oversight to prevent financial misconduct.
The plea agreement reached by Mizuhara highlights the extent of the financial fraud committed against Ohtani and the repercussions Mizuhara now faces for his actions. The maximum sentence of 33 years serves as a warning to others who may consider engaging in similar criminal activities, emphasizing the serious consequences of financial fraud. Ohtani’s representatives are likely to seek justice for the stolen funds and ensure that Mizuhara is held accountable for his actions. The case sheds light on the potential vulnerabilities of high-profile athletes like Ohtani and the importance of safeguarding their finances from exploitation by individuals in positions of trust.
As the legal process unfolds, more details about the scope of Mizuhara’s actions and the impact on Ohtani’s finances may come to light. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of financial misconduct in professional sports and the need for athletes to be vigilant in monitoring their finances and trusting only reliable individuals with access to their accounts. Ohtani’s record-breaking contract with the Dodgers has highlighted the magnitude of the financial loss caused by Mizuhara’s actions and underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in handling athletes’ financial affairs. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the extent of Mizuhara’s culpability and the steps required to recover the stolen funds and prevent such incidents in the future.
