Former Interpreter of Shohei Ohtani Pleads Guilty to Transferring $17 Million for Gambling Debts

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to transferring nearly $17 million from the player to cover his own gambling debts. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that the 39-year-old interpreter will plead guilty to two federal charges, including one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

If convicted, Mizuhara could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud and up to three years in federal prison for subscribing to a false tax return. United States Attorney Martin Estrada expressed the magnitude of Mizuhara’s actions, stating, “The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive. He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.”

IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher also condemned Mizuhara’s actions, stating that he “exploited his relationship with Mr. Ohtani to bankroll his own irresponsibility.” The allegations against Mizuhara surfaced in March when Ohtani’s lawyers accused him of stealing millions of dollars from the athlete to cover bets with an alleged illegal bookmaker currently under federal investigation.

According to the federal complaint, Mizuhara placed approximately 19,000 wagers between December 2021 and January 2024. While he won around $142 million on these wagers, he also lost approximately $182 million, leaving him with a staggering $40 million debt. Notably, the records did not indicate any bets placed on baseball games.