• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
Law

Former Ohtani Interpreter Pleading Guilty to Bank Fraud, False Tax Return

  • The baseball star’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, admitted to secretly stealing nearly $17 million from the player.
  • Mizuhara will face up to 33 years in federal prison for his crimes.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter is pleading guilty to two charges related to his staggering thefts from the ballplayer, the federal government announced.

Ippei Mizuhara is pleading guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Federal investigators had previously detailed how Mizuhara stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani to feed his voracious gambling habit.

He faces up to 33 years in federal prison: up to 30 for the bank fraud charge and up to three for the tax return charge. He is expected to formally plead guilty “in the coming weeks” and has an arraignment set for May 14. His total maximum sentence also includes a five-year period of supervised release, a $1,250,000 fine, and a $200 mandatory special assessment, according to the plea agreement.

“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada said in a statement. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit.”

According to the plea agreement, Mizuhara started placing sports bets through an illegal bookie in September 2021. Mizuhara’s losses from betting began to mount, and he soon found himself “indebted to the bookmaker.” Starting in November ’21 and running through March of this year, Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani 24 times and stole millions out of Ohtani’s bank account via numerous wire transfers.

“Mr. Mizuhara exploited his relationship with Mr. Ohtani to bankroll his own irresponsibility,” Tyler Hatcher, special agent in charge of the Los Angeles Field Office’s IRS criminal investigation division, said in a statement.

Mizuhara filed a 2022 tax return that he admitted was false, reporting to the IRS that his total taxable income was $136,865, but failing to include additional income of $4.1 million, according to his plea agreement. Mizuhara then admitted that he actually owes roughly $1,149,400 in additional taxes as well as interest and penalties.

As part of the plea deal, Mizuhara “will be required to pay full restitution to” Ohtani. The nearly $17 million he stole from the Dodgers star covered less than half of the $41 million he found himself in the hole to the bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer. Bowyer has not yet been charged with a crime but is being investigated by federal authorities.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN headquarters
exclusive

ESPN Editor Leaves for Ring Mag Amid Cristina Daglas Investigation

Elizabeth Baugh had been at ESPN for nearly a decade.
Kelly Coleman, pro bat lead operator, inspects a torpedo bat after it comes out of a baseball bat lathe at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Ky. on Mar. 31, 2025.

‘Torpedo’ Bat Sales Boom As Debate Rages About Effectiveness

Several manufacturers report historic interest in the much-debated bat design.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.

FanDuel’s PE Backers Fire Back at Founder’s Legal Fight Over 2018 Sale

The legal dispute stems from the 2018 sale of 61% of FanDuel.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
exclusive

ESPN Is Accused of Harassment, Retaliation in Legal Letter From Exec Editor

Cristina Daglas has been on administrative leave since January.
Juan Soto
March 18, 2025

MLBPA’s NIL Suit Against DraftKings Can Continue, Judge Says

The sportsbook failed to get the case dismissed.
A set of trading cards
March 19, 2025

New Suit Alleges Fanatics ‘Monopoly’ Increased Trading Card Prices 

The suit also names the NBA, NHL, and NFL as defendants.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Nick Kyrgios reacts to a point against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first set of their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Thursday, March 6, 2025.
March 18, 2025

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA Sues Tennis ‘Cartel’

The 163-page lawsuit was filed in three countries and seeks to reshape the sport.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.
March 14, 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr., Fanatics End 10-Month-Long Legal Battle

Fanatics initially filed the lawsuit last May for breach of contract.
Dec. 18, 1982; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley (16) is pursued by New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau (99) at the Orange Bowl.
March 13, 2025

Mark Gastineau Sues ESPN for $25 Million, Alleging Deceptive Editing of Favre..

Gastineau is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played from 1979 to 1988.
Ryan Wedding
March 7, 2025

Feds Put $10 Million Bounty on Olympic Snowboarder for Drug Trafficking, Murder

Ryan Wedding competed at the 2002 Winter Games for Canada.