Ex-Ohtani Interpreter Faces 57-Month Prison Sentence for Fraud

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Federal prosecutors recommended a 57-month prison sentence Thursday for Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, after he admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts. Mizuhara, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return in June, is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 6.

In a court filing, prosecutors released an audio recording in which Mizuhara impersonates Ohtani while attempting to wire $200,000 from Ohtani’s bank account. The recording, made on Feb. 2, 2022, captures Mizuhara identifying himself as Ohtani to a bank employee. “Shohei Ohtani,” Mizuhara replied when asked who he was. The bank employee then assisted Mizuhara in completing the wire transfer after he provided a six-digit authentication code.

Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Freedman, argued for an 18-month sentence, citing his client’s long-standing gambling addiction. According to Freedman, Mizuhara began gambling at 18 and escalated his betting while working for Ohtani, placing approximately 19,000 bets with illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer over two years. Mizuhara accumulated over $40 million in debt, which he attempted to pay off using Ohtani’s funds.

Prosecutors, however, disputed that gambling addiction was the sole motive, stating that Mizuhara used the stolen money for personal expenses unrelated to gambling. “Ultimately, the government submits, the motivating factor behind defendant’s crimes was not a gambling addiction but rather greed,” prosecutors wrote in their filing.

Mizuhara, who was fired in March 2024 after the fraud was uncovered, expressed remorse in a letter to U.S. District Court Judge John W. Holcomb. He described the immense pressure of being Ohtani’s sole support staff member, handling tasks ranging from translation to personal errands. “I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being,” Mizuhara wrote. “I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.”

Prosecutors also recommended Mizuhara pay nearly $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1.1 million to the IRS. Mizuhara’s wife, Naomi, submitted a separate letter to the judge, detailing the emotional toll the case has taken on their family. She described Mizuhara as her “only family” after losing her parents and other relatives in recent years.

The case has drawn significant attention due to Ohtani’s prominence in Major League Baseball. Mizuhara’s actions have raised questions about the vulnerabilities of high-profile athletes and the responsibilities of those in their inner circles.