Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, is expected to plead guilty to charges of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return. Mizuhara is accused of embezzling millions of dollars and using the money to cover gambling debts. He will likely enter the plea in the coming weeks and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 14. According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, Mizuhara took advantage of his position of trust with Ohtani to fuel his dangerous gambling habit. Federal authorities discovered that Mizuhara stole an estimated $17 million and he will be required to pay full restitution to Ohtani as part of the plea agreement.
Federal investigators filed a complaint against Mizuhara on April 11, and he turned himself in the following day. Estrada described Mizuhara as Ohtani’s “de facto manager” who had access to Ohtani’s account and would withdraw money to finance his illegal sports betting activities. Mizuhara was reportedly wiring payments to Ryan Boyajian, a cast member of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” who was identified as “Associate 1” in the complaint. Boyajian and an alleged illegal bookmaker named Matthew Bowyer have been friends for nearly 20 years and operated the account where Mizuhara would send money for their real estate projects.
Ohtani publicly addressed the gambling scandal in late March, denying any involvement in sports betting and expressing shock and sadness over Mizuhara’s actions. Ohtani, the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball, stated that he had never placed a sports bet or used a bookmaker to bet on sports. He expressed his feelings of shock and betrayal, saying that he trusted Mizuhara and was devastated by the betrayal of that trust. A sentencing date for Mizuhara has not yet been set, and the case continues to develop.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Mizuhara’s deception and theft were extensive, with him taking advantage of his position as Ohtani’s interpreter to manipulate the star and fund his gambling habits. Mizuhara surrendered to the United States Marshals Service after federal authorities filed a complaint against him. The case involves not only Mizuhara but also his associates, including Ryan Boyajian and Matthew Bowyer, who are allegedly involved in illegal sports betting activities. The full extent of Mizuhara’s involvement and the impact on Ohtani are still being investigated.
Overall, the situation involving Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, and the allegations of bank fraud and false tax returns is a complex and evolving story. Mizuhara’s expected guilty plea, the involvement of his associates, and Ohtani’s public response to the scandal have all contributed to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings. As the case continues to unfold, more details may emerge regarding the extent of the fraud, the impact on Ohtani, and the consequences for all parties involved. Ohtani’s status as a high-profile athlete adds another layer of complexity to the story, highlighting the importance of trust, responsibility, and accountability in professional sports.
