Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, pleads guilty to stealing $17m from MLB star
The former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty Tuesday to bank and tax fraud, admitting that he stole nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off sports betting debts.
Ippei Mizuhara’s crimes stunned the baseball world and destroyed his image as Ohtani’s shadow on baseball fields across the US. He entered his guilty plea on Tuesday in federal court in Santa Ana, California.
The ex-interpreter had exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to plunder millions from the two-way player’s account for years, sometimes posing as Ohtani to bankers. Mizuhara signed a settlement detailing the allegations on May 5, and prosecutors announced it several days later.
Mizuhara’s attorney declined to comment outside the courthouse. Mizuhara spoke briefly in court and acknowledged his guilt. “I was working for Victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into large gambling debts,” he told the court. “I went ahead and transferred money… using his bank account.”
Tuesday’s court hearing lasted about 45 minutes.
Mizuhara’s winning bets totaled more than $142 million, which he deposited into his own bank account and not Ohtani’s. But his losing bets amounted to about $183 million, a net loss of almost $41 million. He didn’t bet on baseball.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years, while the false tax return charge carries a maximum prison sentence of three years. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 25.
He must also pay Ohtani restitution that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. However, these amounts may change prior to sentencing.
Mizuhara’s plea deal was negotiated with prosecutors before he was even arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles in mid-May. He was initially charged with one count of bank fraud.
There was no evidence that Ohtani was involved or aware of Mizuhara’s gambling, and the player cooperated with investigators, authorities said.
The Los Angeles Times and ESPN broke news of the accuser in late March, prompting the Dodgers to fire the interpreter and MLB to open its own investigation.
MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from betting on baseball, even legally. MLB also prohibits betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.
Ohtani has tried to focus on the field as the case winds through the courts. Hours after his former interpreter made his first appearance in court in April, he hit his 175th MLB home run, tying Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japanese-born player, during the 8-7 loss of the Dodgers vs. the San Diego Padres in 11 games. innings.
Mizuhara’s hearing came hours after MLB banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano from baseball for life in the wake of a new gambling scandal. MLB said Marcano placed 387 baseball bets totaling more than $150,000 at a legal sportsbook in October 2022 and from July through November. He became the first active player in a century to be banned for life for gambling. Four others were suspended on Tuesday.