Mizuhara Sentenced for $17M Fraud, 19K Illegal Bets

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and filing a false tax return, revealing he had placed over 19,000 illegal bets. U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb ordered Mizuhara to pay $18 million in restitution, with nearly $17 million going to Ohtani. Mizuhara's actions were described by prosecutors as a calculated betrayal, exploiting the language barrier to isolate Ohtani. Despite Mizuhara's plea for a lighter sentence, the judge sided with prosecutors' recommendation, which was the maximum sought. His case is part of a larger investigation into illegal gambling operations in Southern California.