Ippei Mizuhara Sentenced to 57 Months for Ohtani Fraud

Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $17 million from the player to fund a gambling addiction. The theft, which began in 2021, involved Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani to access his accounts and process unauthorized wire transfers. Prosecutors described Mizuhara's actions as premeditated and ongoing, disputing his claims of a gambling addiction by citing a lack of evidence prior to his fraudulent activities. Despite Mizuhara's defense requesting a lighter 18-month sentence based on claims of addiction and financial stress, the court sided with prosecutors, emphasizing the severity of his actions. Mizuhara must also pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani, whose financial affairs he had managed since Ohtani's arrival in Major League Baseball in 2018. The case has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by international players who often rely heavily on their interpreters for personal and financial matters.