Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is in the midst of a troubling legal battle with his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani is demanding that Mizuhara return signed baseball cards, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, which he claims were bought fraudulently using his funds.
According to court documents submitted recently, Mizuhara, who has previously admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani, used the athlete’s money to purchase about $325,000 worth of collectible cards through online platforms like eBay and Whatnot. The legal filings reveal that Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s bank account beginning in November 2021, manipulating security measures to appear as if he were Ohtani himself in order to authorize wire transfers.
Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Freedman, chose not to comment on the case. Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to charges of bank fraud and filing a false tax return. His actions included diverting funds from Ohtani’s bank account to satisfy his gambling debts with illegal bookmakers, as well as covering personal medical bills and the baseball card expenses.
As he awaits sentencing in January, Mizuhara faces serious consequences. His crimes could lead to a prison sentence of over 30 years, along with hefty restitution obligations that might reach nearly $17 million to Ohtani and upwards of $1 million to the IRS. Additionally, given his legal status as a permanent resident with a green card, deportation to Japan is also a possibility.
Mizuhara was closely associated with Ohtani’s rise in baseball. He supported him during key career moments, including the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game and through Ohtani’s impressive achievements, such as winning the American League MVP two times and signing a noteworthy ten-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite their strong bond and friendship, Mizuhara squandered everything through reckless gambling, wagering on various sports, although prosecutors confirmed he never placed bets on baseball.
Ohtani and the Dodgers celebrated a World Series victory earlier this year, marking another high point in Ohtani’s celebrated career, which includes receiving his third Most Valuable Player award. The situation with Mizuhara serves as a stark reminder of trust gone wrong and the need for greater scrutiny and responsibility, especially when handling someone else’s hard-earned money.
