Shohei Ohtani’s Former Interpreter Sentenced to 57 Months for $17M Fraud

Ippei Mizuhara admitted to embezzling millions from the MLB star to fund gambling debts, with a federal court ordering restitution and additional penalties.

Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for bank and tax fraud after stealing nearly $17 million from the baseball star.
The court ordered Mizuhara to pay $18 million in restitution, with $17 million allocated to Ohtani and the remainder to the IRS, alongside three years of supervised release.
Mizuhara admitted to using the stolen funds to cover gambling debts, purchase $325,000 worth of baseball cards, and pay personal expenses, including dental bills.
Federal prosecutors emphasized the betrayal of trust, noting Mizuhara exploited his close relationship with Ohtani, who was cleared of any wrongdoing in the case.
The case highlights broader concerns about gambling-related scandals in sports, as Mizuhara placed approximately 19,000 bets over three years, accumulating significant losses.