Tried in a California court, the former translator of Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to stealing more than $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player.
The former translator of Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Santa Ana (California, United States) to stealing more than $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player to pay off debts of game.
Ippei Mizuhara, a former interpreter and close friend of Ohtani, admitted to bank fraud, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and false tax returns, punishable by up to three years in prison, prosecutors said. A trial date has been set for Oct. 25.
More than 19,000 illegal sports bets… averaging $12,800
Ippei Mizuhara (39) siphoned off Ohtani’s bank account to finance his “insatiable appetite” for sports betting, which is illegal in California, the prosecutor explained.
Mizuhara allegedly made more than 19,000 illegal sports bets averaging $12,800 per bet between December 2021 and January 2024, sinking into debt and losing $40.7 million, according to court documents. He was arrested in early April and quickly released on bail.
Huge baseball star, Shohei Ohtani (29 years old) signed a record contract worth $700 million over ten years with the prestigious Los Angeles Dodgers franchise at the end of 2023. The Japanese star is considered by the prosecutor as “a victim” in this case.
