Ohtani’s Former Interpreter Sentenced To More Than 4 Years In Prison, Must Pay $18.1M For Stealing From Dodgers Superstar

UPDATED with sentencing: Shohei Ohtani‘s former interpreter, who admitted stealing nearly $17 million from the Dodger slugger’s bank account to pay off illegal gambling debts, was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Ana to four years and nine months in prison.

In addition to the sentence Ippei Mizuhara was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $18.1 million.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to one federal count each of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return. The bank fraud charge could have sent him to prison for up to 30 years, while the tax charge carried up to three years in federal prison.

Mizuhara contended he committed the crimes due to a gambling addiction, but prosecutors said his actions went beyond gambling and into greed.

“Even if defendant is addicted to gambling, it cannot fully explain defendant’s conduct because defendant used the stolen funds for numerous personal expenses that had nothing to do with gambling,” prosecutors wrote in court papers.

The prosecutors pointed to Mizuhara using the stolen funds to buy baseball cards worth a total of about $325,000, and when the defendant asked Ohtani for financial aid to pay for dental work, the Dodgers star gave him a check for $60,000, but Mizuhara pocketed the cash and used the baseball player’s debit card to pay the dentist.

Also, Mizuhara did not sell off the baseball cards to pay his gambling debts to co-defendant Mathew Bowyer, who has also pleaded guilty and was scheduled to be sentenced April 4, prosecutors said.

“Further, and most compelling, when defendant actually won money from Bowyer (his bookie), he didn’t repay Mr. Ohtani or credit the account from which he had stolen the funds,” prosecutors said. “Instead, he instructed Bowyer to wire the money to defendant’s personal bank account.”

Mizuhara’s motivation wasn’t addiction, it was :greed,” prosecutors said.

PREVIOUSLY on May 8, 2024: Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to two federal charges for stealing nearly $17 million from the Dodger slugger’s bank account to pay off illegal gambling debts, prosecutors announced today.

Ippei Mizuhara, 39, could face more than 30 years in federal prison under the plea deal, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.”

In one of the most damning portions of the criminal complaint, prosecutors including a text from Mizuhara to “Bookmaker 1” where the duo were discussing public reports of the theft from the Dodgers player.

“Technically I did steal from him. It’s all over for me,” wrote Mizuhara bluntly in words any jury is going to have a hard time overlooking.

The Japan-born player’s interpreter almost since the day he joined MLB, Mizuhara has been using Ohtani’s accounts and name to get his hands on big bucks since 2018, prosecutors contend. They also revealed recent discussions with Ohtani himself on the matter.

Arraignment for Mizuhara, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has now been set for next Tuesday, May 14. 

City News Service contributed to this post.