Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is alleged to have stolen $16 million from the baseball great to pay off gambling debts, according to federal officials. Far exceeding the $4.5 million originally reported.
ESPN reported that Mizuhara has been accused of bank fraud, which could carry a $1 million dollar fine and/or up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. Ohtani reportedly was not aware of Mizuhara’s illegal financial dealings as they happened during a two-year period, per the report.
Let’s break down five of the biggest takeaways from the affidavit federal authorities filed on Thursday — one that features a stunning amount of sports betting over a multi-year period and could land the former interpreter a lengthy prison sentence.
Shohei Ohtani is firmly considered a victim in the situation
Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports
Despite earlier speculation of his possible involvement, Ohtani has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is believed to be the victim in this situation.
“I want to emphasize this point: Mr. Ohtani is considered a victim in this case,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said during a news conference in Los Angeles, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez and Paula Lavigne. “Mr. Mizuhara used and abused that position of trust … in order to plunder Mr. Ohtani’s bank account to the tune of over $16 million.”
The amount of money Mizuhara wagered and lost from Dec. 2021 to Jan. 2024 is staggering
ESPN added that Mizuhara is believed to have averaged placing 25 bets a day.
Mizuhara did not bet on baseball
It looks like MLB avoided the worst-case scenario and the cardinal sin wasn’t committed.
Mizuhara allegedly pretended to be Ohtani on the phone when making bank transactions
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
“Investigators also relied on recorded phone calls from the bank in which Mizuhara falsely identified himself as Ohtani to ‘trick and deceive’ bank employees into authorizing the transfers,” ESPN reported. “The complaint outlined one specific transfer on June 20, 2023, of $500,000 to an associate of a bookmaker.”
Mizuhara admitted guilt to a bookie during a private conversation
Via the affidavit:
On or about March 20, 2024, MIZUHARA messaged BOOKMAKER 1 stating, ‘Have you seen the reports?’ BOOKMAKER 1 responded, ‘Yes, but that’s all [expletive]. Obviously you didn’t steal from him. I understand it’s a cover job[.] I totally get it.’ MIZUHARA then responded to BOOKMAKER 1, ‘Technically I did steal from him. it’s [sic] all over for me.’
