The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced on May 8, 2024, that Ippei Mizuhara, who served as Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter until March 2024 when he was fired by the team for allegedly embezzling funds from Ohtani to cover gambling debts, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
The two charges combined carry a maximum sentence of 33 years in federal prison. Mizuhara’s arraignment is scheduled for May 14.
“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face…
