Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter to Plead Guilty in Federal Court Tuesday: Reports

Ippei Mizuhara, whom federal investigators allege stole nearly $17 million as the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in federal court Tuesday according to multiple reports.

Mizuhara, 39, previously agreed to the guilty plea on one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false income tax return. The sentence for bank fraud reportedly carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, and three years for filing a false tax return. His sentencing is expected at a later date.

Ohtani has claimed not to have any knowledge Mizuhara stole from him until the former interpreter confessed after the Dodgers’ season-opening victory in Seoul, South Korea on March 20:

“I’m very grateful for the Department of Justice’s investigation,” Ohtani said in March. “For me personally, this marks a break from this, and I’d like to focus on baseball.”

Since then, Ohtani has been able to do exactly that. He leads the Dodgers in home runs (14), RBIs (38), and batting average (.322). His .988 on-base plus slugging percentage ranks second in the National League. The Dodgers signed the reigning American League MVP to a record $700 million contract last December.

A federal investigation revealed that Mizuhara began placing sports bets with an illegal bookmaker in Sept. 2021, and then transferred money from Ohtani’s personal account to cover the debts.

According to a court document cited by the Associated Press, Mizuhara “fraudulently transferred and willfully caused to be transferred approximately $16.5 million.” Prosecutors alleged Mizuhara used the money to pay off some personal expenses as well as the illegal gambling debts.

“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Martin Estrada said at a press conference in Los Angeles in April. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit.”

The DOJ’s 37-page complaint against Mizuharadetailed the breadth of his gambling activities. The federal investigation surfaced no evidence that Mizuhara used Ohtani’s money to wager on Major League Baseball games among 19,000 wagers totaling net losses of $40.7 million.

The league launched its own investigation into the scandal and is expected to clear Ohtani of any wrongdoing. Betting on baseball is explicitly prohibited by MLB rules.

The conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Mizuhara, whenever he is sentenced, could allow MLB to formally conclude its investigation and clear Ohtani of any wrongdoing once and for all.