The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to serious charges of bank and tax fraud, two counts that carry a maximum prison sentence of 33 years, on Tuesday and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to make good and pay off sports bets.
Ippei Mizuhara ’s crimes sent the baseball community into a tail spin that dominated the headlines, tainting and shattering his pristine image as Ohtani’s shadow at ballparks around the U.S. He entered his guilty plea in federal court in Santa Ana, California.
The ex-interpreter had taken advantage of his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to strip millions from the two-way player’s account for years, at times going as far as pretending to be Ohtani to bankers. Mizuhara signed a plea agreement that explained the allegations on May 5, and prosecutors made it public several days later.
Mizuhara’s representation declined to comment outside the courthouse. Mizuhara somberly spoke briefly in court acknowledging his guilt. “I worked for victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into major gambling debt,” he told the court. “I went ahead and wired money … with his bank account.”
There was no evidence Ohtani was involved in or knew about Mizuhara’s gambling, and the player cooperated fully with investigators, authorities said.
Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said after the hearing that Ohtani was particularly vulnerable.
“Mr. Ohtani is an immigrant who came to this country, is not familiar with the ways of this country and therefore was easily prey to someone who was more familiar with our financial systems,” said Estrada, adding that his office has established a Vulnerable Victims Task Force to look at fraud against older adults and immigrant groups.
Mizuhara faces a number of harsh and devastating consequences including possibly being deported to Japan, Estrada said.
Embed from Getty ImagesOhtani had a big weight lifted off his shoulders after the hearing and had heartfelt thanks for his team, family and the Dodger organization “who showed endless support throughout this process. It’s time to close this chapter, move on and continue to focus on playing and winning ballgames.”
“Now that the investigation has been completed, this full admission of guilt has brought important closure to me and my family,” Ohtani said. “I want to sincerely thank the authorities for finishing their thorough and effective investigation so quickly and uncovering all of the evidence.”
Mizuhara’s winning bets were in excess of $142 million, which he deposited in his own bank account and not Ohtani’s. However, he eventually ran out of luck and his losing bets were around $183 million, a net loss of nearly $41 million. He did not wager on baseball. Estrada said Mizuhara spent some of the money to cover dental fees.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. The bank fraud charge alone carries a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, and the false tax return charge carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 25.
Another one of his requirements is to make Ohtani whole in restitution that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. Those amounts, however, could change prior to sentencing.
Federal prosecutor Jeff Mitchell told the court Mizuhara was hired as an interpreter for a Major League Baseball player who did not speak English, and helped translate between him and his financial advisors, who did not speak Japanese. In 2018, Mizuhara helped the player open a bank account in Phoenix to deposit payroll and received login information for the account, Mitchell said.
When Mizuhara could not come up with the money to pay sports gambling debts, he tricked the bank to get money from the account to pay them off, Mitchell said. He did this by signing into the account online and changing the registered phone number and email for the account so communication would be sent to Mizuhara instead of the player, Mitchell said. On multiple occasions from 2021 to 2024, Mizuhara initiated wire transfers from the account and received a six-digit code from the bank to complete the transactions, Mitchell said.
Mizuhara’s plea deal was negotiated with prosecutors before he was even arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles in the middle of May. He was initially charged with a single count of bank fraud.
A pair of reputable outlets, The Los Angeles Times and ESPN broke the news of the prosecution in late March, leaving the Dodgers no choice but to send the interpreter packing and MLB to open its own investigation.
MLB policy prohibits players and team employees from wagering on baseball, even legally. MLB also bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.
Mizuhara’s hearing came mere hours after MLB banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano from baseball for life in the aftermath of another gambling scandal. MLB said Marcano placed 387 baseball bets totaling more than $150,000 in October 2022 and from last July through November with a legal sportsbook. He became the first active player in a century banned for life because of gambling. Four others were suspended Tuesday.
Prosecutors declined to comment when asked about Marcano on Tuesday.
