Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of illegally transferring nearly $17 million from the baseball star’s bank account to pay off gambling debts. Mizuhara will plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return, facing a maximum of 33 years in prison. The Justice Department described Mizuhara as having an “insatiable appetite” for gambling, leading him to plunder millions from Ohtani’s bank account.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada called Mizuhara’s actions massive and emphasized how he exploited his position of trust to take advantage of Ohtani and fuel his gambling habit. The Internal Revenue Service’s criminal investigation unit revealed that Mizuhara also lied to the IRS about his income. Mizuhara’s guilty plea is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with arraignment scheduled for May 14. The sports world was stunned by the revelations, potentially implicating Ohtani in scandal, although prosecutors stressed that Ohtani was an innocent victim of Mizuhara’s deception.
A criminal complaint released by prosecutors detailed Mizuhara’s gambling activities, with approximately 19,000 bets placed between December 2021 and January 2024, ranging in value from $10 to $160,000. Despite winning bets worth $142.3 million, Mizuhara also had losing bets totaling $182.9 million, resulting in losses of roughly $40.7 million during that period. Mizuhara allegedly changed contact information on Ohtani’s bank account to link it to his phone number and an anonymous email address, as well as impersonating Ohtani to authorize wire transfers from the account.
Major League Baseball’s gambling policy prohibits players, officials, and employees from betting on baseball or making illegal bets on other sports. Those found guilty face severe penalties, including life bans for betting on games they were directly involved in. Ohtani, known for his elite pitching and hitting abilities, is considered a generational talent and has been compared to Babe Ruth. He currently leads baseball in hitting rankings with an MLB-best average of .358 and 11 home runs. Ohtani’s clean-cut image has made him the global face of baseball, further highlighting the severity of the situation involving Mizuhara’s embezzlement.
Mizuhara’s lawyer expressed his client’s desire to apologize to Ohtani, the Dodgers, and Major League Baseball for his actions and sought a swift resolution to take responsibility for his crimes. The investigation into Mizuhara’s illegal activities and subsequent guilty plea shed light on the extent of his deception and theft, leaving Ohtani as an unsuspecting victim. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of financial exploitation and the importance of trust and transparency in professional relationships. Despite the scandal, Ohtani’s on-field performance and reputation remain intact, solidifying his status as a baseball superstar.
