Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara to plead guilty to fraud in US
The previous interpreter for Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to charges in the US for illegally transferring nearly $17 million from the athlete’s bank account.
In an arrangement reached with Los Angeles prosecutors, Ippei Mizuhara will admit guilt to charges of bank fraud and submitting a false tax return. Allegedly, he utilized the funds from the bank account of the LA Dodgers’ star to settle his personal debts.
This case sent shockwaves through baseball communities in Japan and America upon its revelation in March. According to US Attorney Martin Estrada, Mizuhara exploited his entrusted position to exploit Ohtani and fund a harmful gambling habit.
Prosecutors claim that the 39-year-old Mizuhara posed as Ohtani when contacting bank officials to deceive them into approving wire transfers from Ohtani’s account to associates of an illegal gambling ring.
Additionally, from January to March of this year, Mizuhara purportedly spent $325,000 on baseball cards using Ohtani’s funds.
The bank fraud charge carries a potential prison term of up to 30 years, while the false tax return charge could lead to a three-year jail sentence.
Under the agreement, prosecutors will suggest a reduced sentence in exchange for Mizuhara’s plea, which he is anticipated to enter in the upcoming weeks.
Mizuhara was dismissed in March when the allegations surfaced. Ohtani, 29, expressed feeling “saddened and shocked” by the betrayal of someone he had placed trust in.
Ohtani had recently signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers and had just secured his second unanimous American League MVP award.
His status as a superstar was further solidified last February when he announced his marriage, sparking widespread speculation until he revealed his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, a month later.
Mizuhara had been a constant presence since Ohtani’s tenure in the US began in 2018.
Mr Ohtani, who does not speak English, had relied extensively on his interpreter – from answering questions at news conferences to transacting with financial advisers and opening bank accounts.
Mr Mizuhara’s ability to interpret Mr Ohtani’s comments into colloquial English had been widely praised in Japan.
