The former interpreter of the Ohtani baseball star will appear before the court for sentence in the case of bets

By Amy Taxin

Santa Ana, California (AP) – The former interpreter for the baseball star Shohei Ohtani It was sentenced on Thursday to four years and nine months in prison and three years of liberation supervised by bank and fiscal fraud after stealing almost $ 17 million from the bank account of the Los Angeles Dodgers players.

Ipepi Mizuhara, who was supposed to close the gap between the Japanese athlete and his English -speaking companions and fans, was sentenced in a federal court in Santa Ana, California, after declaring himself guilty last year.

He was ordered on Thursday to pay $ 18 million in restitution, with almost $ 17 million to Ohtani and the rest to the IRS. He was ordered to be delivered to the authorities to begin complying with his sentence before March 24.

“The magnitude of theft, $ 17 million, in my opinion, is surprisingly high,” American District Judge John W. Holcomomb said when issuing the sentence.

Holcomb said that most people do not earn so much money in their lives.

“I hope Mr. Mizuhara can pay that sum,” said Holcomb. “That remains to be seen.”

Mizuhara has recognized the use of money to cover their growing game bets and debts with an illegal betting house, in addition to $ 325,000 in baseball cards and his own dental invoices.

His lawyer declined to comment after the hearing.

The case possibly affected the The most famous baseball player in the world – who previously launched for Los Angeles de los Angeles, and fueled a international media frenzy. It was derived from a broader investigation into illegal sports betting organizations in southern California and income washing through casinos in Las Vegas that has noted a dozen defendants.

“His robbery of a year of Mr. Ohtani and the myriad of lies that he told the agents and financial advisors of Mr. Ohtani to cover up his robbery represent a calculated betrayal of the person who was hired to help,” the prosecutors in court in court in court. papers.

In a letter to the court, Mizuhara described his financial tension and his game addiction, which he hoped would relieve his money problems. He also professed his admiration for Ohtani and his remorse.

“I am asking for a little mercy on the Court about my prayer, you will deliver,” Mizuhara wrote. “I really admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being and was committed to dedicating my life so that Shohei can be the best version of himself in the field. I mean that I really sorry to violate your trust in me. “

IPPEI Mizuhara, former Shohei Ohtani performer, arrives at the Judgment to the Federal Building Ronald Reagan in Santa Ana California on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Mizuhara declared himself guilty of bank and fiscal fraud for stealing almost $ 17 million from Ohtani. (Photo by Jeff Gitchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mizuhara agreed to Ohtani’s account from 2021 and changed his security protocols to be able to impede wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used the money to buy around $ 325,000 on baseball cards in online resellers and had bet tens of millions of dollars that were not theirs to bet on international football, NBA, NFL and university football .

Prosecutors said Mizuhara never opted for baseball, and Ohtani was an unknown victim of the scheme.

“There is no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is really a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damage to the defendant’s behavior,” prosecutors wrote.

Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara’s lawyer, wrote in the judicial presentations that his client is a game addict that made a “terrible mistake” and has suffered a loss of work and reputation. Mizuhara assumes the responsibility of his actions and hopes to be deported to his native Japan after fulfilling the time, Freedman wrote while requested a sentence of a year and a half.

Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California with his parents when he was 6 years old. He struggled to learn English but finally did it, and returned to Japan in 2013 to become an interpreter of a Japanese baseball team and then for Ohtani, according to the Court, according to the Court. filings.

The two formed a very close link, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani in 2018 to the United States, where he assumed numerous errands for the player as the purchases of groceries, Freedman wrote.

Inside baseball, Mizuhara was next to Ohtani for many of The highlight of the athlete’s careerFrom serving as his receiver during the home run in the 2021 star game, until he is there for his two MVP victories of the American League and his record of $ 700 million, 10 years with the agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Outside the countryside, Mizuhara was the friend and confidant of Ohtani. He renounced Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB block to continue talking with Ohtani, and was understood after an agreement was reached.

Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers He won the World Series, and the baseball star won his third Most valuable player grant.

Originally published: February 6, 2025 at 2:32 pm