Los Angeles, California – A former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, is facing allegations of stealing over $16 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. The federal authorities filed an affidavit accusing Mizuhara of bank fraud, a charge that could result in a maximum sentence of 30 years. Mizuhara, who was fired by the Dodgers on March 20, is expected to appear in federal court for a bond hearing. The investigation revealed a pattern of deception as Mizuhara reportedly made approximately 19,000 bets totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over a three-year period.
During their time together, Ohtani considered Mizuhara his closest companion and interpreter for six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and this past spring with the Dodgers. However, the relationship took a dark turn as Mizuhara allegedly siphoned money from Ohtani’s bank account to fuel his gambling addiction. The magnitude of the situation prompted federal authorities to intervene and shed light on the extent of Mizuhara’s deception.
Despite the scandal, investigations unveiled no evidence of Ohtani’s involvement in the illicit activities. The government’s scrutiny of text communications between Ohtani and Mizuhara revealed no discussions related to gambling or authorizations for financial transactions. As the case unfolds, Major League Baseball has indicated a pause in its own investigation to allow the criminal proceedings to progress.
Mizuhara’s descent into the gambling world came to light in the fall of 2021 when he connected with an alleged illegal bookmaker and began accumulating significant debts. To settle these debts, Mizuhara resorted to impersonating Ohtani to gain access to his bank account and transferred millions of dollars to the bookmakers. This pattern of behavior led to Mizuhara’s eventual downfall when federal authorities apprehended him at Los Angeles International Airport following a flight from South Korea.
The complexities of Mizuhara’s fraudulent activities underscore the betrayal of trust exhibited toward Ohtani, whom he had known for over a decade. The longstanding relationship between the two, originating from their time in Japan with the Nippon Ham Fighters, unraveled as Mizuhara’s deceitful actions came to light. The case not only exposes Mizuhara’s moral failings but also raises questions about the vulnerabilities within professional sports that can be exploited for personal gain.
As federal prosecutors continue to build their case against Mizuhara, the saga serves as a cautionary tale of the perils of greed and deception. The allegations against Mizuhara highlight the importance of transparency and vigilance in safeguarding financial assets in high-stakes environments. The consequences of Mizuhara’s betrayal reverberate throughout the baseball community, casting a shadow over the once-trusted relationship between athlete and interpreter.