Federal prosecutors have demanded a stern 57-month prison sentence for Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani after he defrauded Ohtani of nearly $17 million. The incriminating recommendation comes alongside an audio recording revealing Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani to wire money from the athlete’s bank account, a scheme that prosecutors describe as brazen and calculated.

Mizuhara’s crimes reportedly spanned years, with him posing as Ohtani in no fewer than 24 bank transactions to funnel millions to illegal bookmakers. Prosecutors argue that Mizuhara’s addiction to gambling, which began in his teens, cannot fully explain his actions. They highlight instances where stolen funds were used for personal luxuries unrelated to gambling, labeling his motives as rooted in greed rather than compulsion.

The Scheme: How Mizuhara Stole Shohei Ohtani’s $17 Million

According to ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, the recorded phone call, released by prosecutors, underscores the deceitful nature of the scheme. In the audio, Mizuhara confidently identifies himself as “Shohei Ohtani” and provides two-factor authentication codes to execute a $200,000 wire transfer under the pretense of a car loan. This incident, among others, demonstrates the deliberate manipulation Mizuhara employed to exploit Ohtani’s trust.

However, prosecutors maintain that Mizuhara’s position as Ohtani’s trusted confidant magnified the betrayal. They demand restitution of $17 million to Ohtani and an additional $1.1 million to the IRS, emphasizing the significant financial and emotional harm caused.

Scheduled for sentencing on February 6, 2025, Mizuhara faces a potentially life-altering punishment. Federal officials are committed to using his case as a warning that they will not tolerate breaches of trust in high-profile relationships lightly. As a result of this case, Shohei Ohtani’s career significantly serves as a lesson for athletes globally.

Prosecution rejects Ippei Mizuharas addiction as an excuse

The federal prosecutors have outright dismissed Ippei Mizuhara’s assertion that his criminal activities were motivated by a gambling addiction. In court filings, they argued that Mizuhara’s addiction, while significant, could not fully explain the extent of his fraudulent behavior. There was a time when Mizuhara was seen as the steady force in Ohtani’s sometimes stormy life but with this scandal, his pleas are mostly going ignored.

Prosecutors emphasized Mizuhara’s actions to be calculated, involving deliberate impersonation of Shohei Ohtani during 24 separate bank transactions over two years. The government showed Mizuhara’s crimes as a gross abuse of trust, saying that his role as Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and personal aide gave him unparalleled access to the athlete’s finances.

With the sentencing date looming and a cry for harsh punishment from all sides, the outcome will not only determine Mizuhara’s fate but also send a powerful message about justice in the face of betrayal.