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United States. Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter and close figure to Shohei Ohtani on the Los Angeles Dodgers, surrendered this Monday to federal authorities to begin a 57-month prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low, in Pennsylvania.
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Mizuhara, 40, was found guilty of bank fraud and filing a false tax return, after admitting to stealing more than US$16 million from Ohtani's personal account to feed a gambling addiction. Authorities revealed that the Japanese man placed more than 19,000 bets over a two-year period, accumulating a debt of more than US$40 million with an illegal sportsbook. The former interpreter was due to enter prison in March, but a federal judge granted a postponement for undisclosed reasons at the request of his defense. Finally, the entry took place just hours before Ohtani returned to pitch in MLB.The scandal erupted in March 2024, when an investigation revealed millions of dollars in bank transfers from the two-time MVP's account to an illegal betting ring. Mizuhara was immediately fired by the Dodgers. For his part, Shohei Ohtani was deeply affected by the betrayal: "I am saddened and very surprised that someone I trusted has done this," he declared. Ohtani categorically denied having had knowledge of the bets or financial transactions made by Mizuhara on his behalf. In addition to Mizuhara's conviction, the involved bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, also pleaded guilty to operating the illegal business, money laundering, and tax evasion. His sentencing is pending. Mizuhara, who could be deported after serving his sentence, was for years Ohtani's voice and cultural link in the United States. His downfall has marked one of the most talked-about scandals in MLB in recent times."He took advantage of his position of trust to harm Mr. Ohtani and feed a dangerous addiction," said federal prosecutor Martin Estrada after the sentencing in February.
