Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter to plead guilty after stealing $16M for gambling

The interpreter for one of the biggest stars in baseball is expected to soon plead guilty to stealing a massive sum of money to cover gambling debts.

Ippei Mizuhara, the interpreter for Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty to felony bank fraud and submitting a false tax return, according to ESPN. That plea is expected to be entered in the coming weeks.

The charges stem from Mizuhara allegedly stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani and transferring it to an illegal sportsbook, according to authorities.

The maximum sentence for those charges is 33 years in prison and a fine of $1.25 million. Prosecutors are expected to recommend a reduced sentence, although the agreement calls for Mizuhara to pay full restitution, according to ESPN.

Ohtani’s attorneys have contended that the two-time AL MVP was the victim of a theft from a longtime employee with whom he worked closely.

Court documents detailed how Mizuhara changed bank contact information and impersonated Ohtani over the phone to repeatedly transfer large sums of money to cover gambling debts that he began to incur in September, 2021.

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