Key points:
- Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for fraud and tax evasion
- Mizuhara stole nearly $17m from Ohtani to cover gambling debts and falsified tax records to conceal his actions
- Ohtani has denied any involvement in the scheme
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to bank and tax fraud charges.
Mizuhara, who had worked closely with Ohtani since his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2018, was found to have stolen nearly $17m from the athlete to settle gambling debts with a bookmaker in Southern California.
In addition to the prison sentence, he has been ordered to repay the stolen funds and settle approximately $1m in unpaid taxes.
The case initially raised concerns about Ohtani’s possible involvement in the gambling activities.
Mizuhara first claimed that Ohtani was aware of his addiction and had loaned him money. However, Ohtani later clarified that these statements were part of Mizuhara’s scheme, stating: “All of this has been a complete lie.”
The scandal cast uncertainty over Ohtani’s career, given MLB’s strict rules against gambling and California’s prohibition of sports betting.
Good to know: Beyond the stolen funds, Mizuhara also used Ohtani’s money to purchase autographed baseball cards worth $325,000, which the athlete is now seeking to reclaim
Mizuhara appeared in court in Santa Ana, California, where he expressed remorse, acknowledging that his betrayal would have lasting consequences.
Judge John Holcomb imposed a 57-month prison sentence, followed by three years of probation, during which Mizuhara will undergo drug and alcohol testing and treatment for his gambling addiction.
He has until 24 March to surrender and begin serving his sentence.
Mizuhara admitted to falsifying tax returns and underreporting $4.1m in income from the fraudulent scheme. He may also face deportation after completing his sentence.
The case comes amid growing concerns about gambling addiction in Japan. Last month, data indicated a surge in gambling addiction cases, with consultation requests increasing 11-fold over five years.
