Ippei Mizuhara was not only an interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, but also his confidant, managing everything from the 30-year-old’s household finances to his daily errands. .
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Ippei Mizuhara, a former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, has been found guilty of defrauding Los Angeles Dodgers players out of millions of dollars. Mizuhara was not only an interpreter, but also Otani’s confidant, managing everything from finances to daily chores, and gaining the pitcher’s and designated hitter’s blind trust.
Federal prosecutors said Thursday that Mizuhara was allegedly recorded on a phone call with a bank impersonating a Major League Baseball star while trying to transfer $200,000 for a car loan. Presented a 4-minute audio recording.
The recording, mentioned in a court filing and obtained by The Associated Press, is being used by prosecutors to support their case against Mizuhara, who has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion for stealing about $17 million from Los Angeles. There is. Dodgers star player.
Prosecutors are also seeking approximately $17 million in restitution from Ohtani and more than $1 million in fines from the IRS.
Mizuhara has pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6.
His attorney, Michael G. Friedman, did not respond to an email requesting comment from The Associated Press.
In the recording, a man can be heard identifying himself as Ohtani and saying he tried to log into online banking but was unable to do so. He later confirmed that the transaction amount was $200,000.
When the woman at the bank asks him the reason for the transaction, he replies that it’s for a car loan.
“What is your relationship with the recipient?” she asks.
“Well, he’s my friend,” the man answered.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell said the recording was obtained from the bank. It is unknown when it was created.
Near the end of the call, the woman at the bank asked, “Are there any future wires for your friend?”
“Maybe,” the man says.
This recording was first obtained by The Athletic.
Many people owe Shohei Otani an apology.
This is the audio of his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pretending to be Shohei while on the phone with a bank.
pic.twitter.com/5tXZaaEDUH
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) January 24, 2025
According to the complaint, Mizuhara accessed Otani’s account starting around November 2021, impersonated Otani and changed security protocols to allow wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara allegedly used the money to purchase approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online resellers eBay and Whatnot.
In June, Mizuhara transferred millions of dollars from Ohtani’s bank account in Arizona to cover mounting gambling bets, debts from illegal bookmakers, medical bills and $325,000 worth of baseball cards. Pleaded guilty to spending .
Mizuhara attended many of the Japanese sensation’s career highlights. He was Ohtani’s catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game, and was there for the two-time American League MVP and record-breaking 10-year contract worth $700 million. With the Dodgers. Off the field, he became Ohtani’s friend and confidant.
Mizuhara famously quit the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout in order to continue dialogue with Ohtani, and although Ohtani was rehired after the contract was signed, his wives are It is said that it was a target.
But he risked it all, betting tens of millions of dollars that weren’t his on international soccer, the NBA, NFL and college football. However, prosecutors said he did not bet on baseball.
With AP input
