Sports Media

Ippei Mizuhara Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Shohei Ohtani

Vendetta Sports Media / MLB / June 4, 2024

Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara — (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

The former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani faces prison time after admitting to stealing millions from the MLB superstar.

Major League Baseball cannot separate itself from gambling drama this week. On the same day, Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban, Shohei Ohtani‘s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has pleaded guilty to criminal charges of bank fraud and submitting a fake tax return.

Ippei Mizuhara admitted to stealing $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar. Over a period of several years, Mizuhara wired funds from Ohtani’s account to his own order to settle gambling debts. He now faces a multitude of possible consequences for his actions, including up to 33 years in prison, deportation, and complete restitution to Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani maintains that he knew nothing of Mizuhara’s actions, and was cooperative during the process. In a statement released by his camp, Ohtani thanked law enforcement for their “thorough and effective investigation”. He says that the completion of the investigation has brought him and his loved ones “important closure”, and now he’s looking to return his attention back to baseball. “It’s time to close this chapter, move on and continue to focus on playing and winning ballgames.”

Tucupita Marcano Faces Lifetime MLB Ban

These are certainly troubling times for the MLB. Just this morning, several players were suspended or banned from the league for their own involvement in illicit gambling. Unfortunately, if I were a betting man, I’d wager it’s only going to get worse. As professional sports strengthen their relationships with gambling outfits, it seems the logical outcome.

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