Former Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Begins 57-Month Prison Sentence for $17M Fraud

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, began serving a 57-month federal prison sentence in Pennsylvania for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing false tax returns, with his theft involving unauthorized transfers from Ohtani's accounts to an illegal bookmaker. Despite his pleas for leniency citing a severe gambling addiction, the judge imposed the sentence aligned with the prosecution's recommendation, and Mizuhara was dismissed by the Dodgers in March 2024 following the discovery. Mizuhara's gambling debts reportedly reached about $41 million, and he gambled over $300 million in total, primarily through bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who is also facing sentencing. After completing his prison term, Mizuhara, a Japanese citizen and U.S. legal permanent resident, is expected to be deported to Japan. His surrender to prison was delayed twice before he reported in mid-June 2025, coinciding with Ohtani's return to pitching for the Dodgers after Tommy John surgery.