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Shohei Ohtani's Former Interpreter Pleads Guilty to $17 Million Fraud, Faces 33 Years

Jun 4, 2024, 05:25 PM

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud on Tuesday. Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports betting debts owed to an illegal bookmaker. The plea was entered during a change-of-plea hearing in federal court, where Mizuhara acknowledged his crimes and expressed remorse. He faces a maximum sentence of 33 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 25 at 2 pm PT. Major League Baseball (MLB) has cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing, considering him a victim of fraud and closing its investigation into the matter.