Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, surrendered to authorities after being charged with stealing over $16 million from Ohtani to make illegal sports bets. Mizuhara is accused of bank fraud, with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, stated that Mizuhara opened a bank account for Ohtani in 2018 and acted as his de facto manager, shutting out Ohtani’s agent, accountant, and financial advisor from the account. Mizuhara committed fraud to fuel his illegal sports gambling activities, while Ohtani is considered a victim in the case.
Ohtani, who came to the U.S. in 2018 to play for the Los Angeles Angels before being traded to the Dodgers in a $700 million deal, has fully cooperated in the investigation. Mizuhara, who did not bet on baseball, is connected to an illegal gambling operation. From November 2021 to January 2024, Mizuhara made unauthorized transfers totaling over $16 million from Ohtani’s checking account. He began gambling with an illegal sportsbook in September 2021 and lost large sums of money, leading to his fraudulent actions. Mizuhara made thousands of bets ranging from $10 to $160,000, with winning bets totaling over $142 million and total losses exceeding $40 million.
During this period, Mizuhara allegedly changed the contact information on Ohtani’s bank account to connect it to his phone number and an anonymous email address linked to him. He also posed as Ohtani to authorize wire transfers from the account to individuals involved in the illegal gambling operation. Despite the large sums involved, Ohtani had no knowledge or involvement in the unauthorized transfers made by Mizuhara. The attorney for Mizuhara was not immediately available for comment on the charges.
The case highlights the risks of individuals abusing their positions of trust for personal gain, as Mizuhara exploited his relationship with Ohtani to access and misuse his financial accounts. The fraudulent actions raise questions about the security measures in place to prevent unauthorized transactions and protect the assets of high-profile athletes like Ohtani. The investigation and legal proceedings will shed light on the extent of Mizuhara’s activities and the impact on Ohtani’s finances and reputation. The outcome of the case will determine the accountability and justice served for the fraudulent actions committed by Mizuhara.
As the legal process unfolds, Mizuhara will face the consequences of his actions, which could include a lengthy prison sentence if convicted of bank fraud. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of engaging in illegal gambling activities and the potential repercussions for those involved. Ohtani’s cooperation and victim status in the case demonstrate the importance of maintaining trust and transparency in financial dealings, especially for high-profile individuals in the sports industry. The thorough investigation and prosecution of Mizuhara will seek to provide justice for Ohtani and prevent future instances of financial exploitation in the sports world.
