Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Sentenced to Almost 5 Years for Embezzling $17 Million

Ippei Mizuhara, who previously served as the interpreter for baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to almost five years in prison, which includes three years of supervised release, after defrauding the Los Angeles Dodgers player of nearly $17 million.

The sentencing, held on Thursday in a federal court in Santa Ana, California, concludes a case that has garnered worldwide media attention and sent ripples through the baseball community.

“The scale of the theft—$17 million—is, in my opinion, alarmingly high,” remarked U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb, who presided over the case, after delivering the sentence. He noted that this amount is “more than what the majority of people earn in a lifetime or even several lifetimes.”

Mizuhara, who had earlier pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges, was ordered to pay $18 million in restitution. Almost the entire amount, close to $17 million, is to be repaid to Ohtani, with the rest allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Court documents reveal that Mizuhara played a crucial role in Ohtani’s career since 2013, relocating to the United States alongside him in 2018. Originally from Japan, Mizuhara moved to California at the age of six, later returning to Japan to interpret for a Japanese baseball team and subsequently for Ohtani.

He was present during many of Ohtani’s career milestones, including acting as the catcher for the athlete during the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby.

Prosecutors accused Mizuhara of intentional deceit, asserting in court documents that his actions “constitute a calculated betrayal of the individual he was employed to assist.” They elaborated on how Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s bank account starting in 2021, modifying security protocols to facilitate wire transfers masquerading as the baseball star.

The fraud was uncovered as part of a larger investigation into illegal sports betting in California and associated money laundering activities in Las Vegas casinos.

In a letter addressed to the court, Mizuhara expressed remorse for his actions and requested leniency, stating, “I am asking for a bit of mercy from the court regarding the sentence you will impose.” He attributed his conduct to financial pressures and a gambling addiction.

“I genuinely admire Shohei as both a baseball player and a person, and I was dedicated to helping him become the best version of himself on the field. I sincerely apologize for violating his trust in me,” he wrote.

The stolen funds were mainly utilized to settle Mizuhara’s growing gambling debts owed to an illegal bookmaker. By 2024, he had gambled tens of millions of dollars on various sports, including international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football. Prosecutors noted that Mizuhara did not place any bets on baseball and that Ohtani was completely unaware of the scheme.

Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara’s attorney, characterized his client as a gambling addict who made a “serious mistake” in court documents. He requested a more lenient sentence of 18 months, emphasizing that Mizuhara anticipates being deported to Japan following his imprisonment.

Judge Holcomb has ordered Mizuhara to surrender to authorities by March 24 to commence serving his sentence of four years and nine months in prison, in addition to three years of supervised release.

The judge expressed uncertainty regarding Mizuhara’s ability to repay the significant amount. “I hope that Mr. Mizuhara will be able to repay that sum. That remains to be seen,” he stated.

The baseball star recently inked a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.