Judge Sentences Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani’s Former Interpreter: Reports
Ippei Mizuhara, the longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced by a federal judge in Santa Ana, California on Thursday to 57 months in prison.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud. His lawyer, Michael G. Freedman, asked for a sentence of 18 months.
More news: Bookie Tied to Shohei Ohtani’s Fired Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Breaks Silence
In April 2024, Mizuhara was charged with stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani, most of which was transferred directly from Ohtani’s bank account to an account registered to an illegal sports bookmaker. He was fired by the Dodgers from his job as Ohtani’s interpreter after the allegations came to light in March 2024.
A federal investigation revealed that Mizuhara placed bets with Mathew Bowyer from Sept. 2021 to Jan. 2024, transferring money from Ohtani’s personal account to cover the debts. Bowyer is currently awaiting sentencing for illegally taking sports bets, laundering money, and filing a false tax return.
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Mizuhara obtained the login details for Ohtani’s bank account in 2018, and used his access to transfer money to cover his gambling losses and pay for personal expenses.
Molly Knight, author of The Long Game newsletter, reported that Mizuhara apologized to Ohtani as he begged the judge for mercy.
Mizuhara reading a statement to judge: “As I noted in my letter I want to say I’m truly sorry to Mr. Ohtani for what I have done….. This mistake will impact me for the rest of my life and I am prepared to accept the consequences…..I beg your mercy. “
— Molly Knight (@mollyknight.bsky.social) 2025-02-06T21:35:19.504Z
“As I noted in my letter I want to say I’m truly sorry to Mr. Ohtani for what I have done,” Mizuhara said, via Knight. “This mistake will impact me for the rest of my life and I am prepared to accept the consequences. … I beg your mercy.”
Freedman said in his sentencing memo that his client’s “long-standing gambling addiction … was uniquely exacerbated by his grueling work and exposure to high-stakes bookmakers in the world of professional athletes.”
More news: MLB Fires Umpire Who Shared Sportsbook Account With Professional Gambler
Because Mizuhara is not a U.S. citizen, Freedman said, he is likely to be deported to Japan.
More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
