Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, pled guilty on Tuesday to stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani to cover his gambling debt.
Mizhuara pled guilty to bank fraud charges and filing a false tax return. He faces up to 33 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine if convicted.
KNX News’ Karen Adams reported that Mizhuara could also be ordered to pay restitution. That will be decided at his sentencing, scheduled for Oct. 25.
The former translator for Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani is expected to plead guilty to stealing millions of dollars from Ohtani to feed his gambling habit.
In April, Mizuhara was charged with federal bank fraud. He was released on $25,000 bond.
In March, Mizuhara said in an interview with ESPN that he had asked Ohtani to pay off his gambling debt and that the baseball star had done so; however, he later recanted his statements. The Dodgers fired Mizuhara shortly after.
Ohtani has maintained that he had no idea Mizuhara took money from his account. Federal investigators cleared the baseball star.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada told reporters that Ohtani was "harmed substantially" by Mizhuara's fraud.
"Mr. Mizuhara was the one that, based on his addiction to sports betting, took advantage of his friend, the person who'd given him an opportunity, and victimized Mr. Ohtani," Estrada said.
Estrada said his office is still considering a recommendation for Mizuhara's penalty. He added that it's likely Mizuhara will face deportation back to Japan after he finishes his sentence.
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