SANTA ANA, Calif. — The former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani received a nearly five-year prison sentence on Thursday for committing bank and tax fraud, having embezzled close to $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s account. Ippei Mizuhara, tasked with facilitating communication between Ohtani and his English-speaking peers, was sentenced to four years and nine months following a guilty plea last year.
In addition to the prison term, Mizuhara has been ordered to pay a total of $18 million in restitution, with approximately $17 million designated for Ohtani and the remaining amount owed to the IRS. Along with his prison time, Mizuhara will have three years of supervised release and must surrender to authorities by March 24.
U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb described the theft’s scale as “shockingly high,” noting that very few individuals earn such an amount throughout their lifetime. “I hope that Mr. Mizuhara will be able to repay that sum,” he added, leaving the possibility of repayment uncertain.
Mizuhara expressed regret during the court proceedings, apologizing to Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the government, and his family. “I am truly, deeply sorry for what I have done,” he stated. He also conveyed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions.
Reports indicate that Mizuhara used the funds to settle mounting gambling debts with an illicit bookmaker, to purchase approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards, and to pay his own dental expenses. Following the hearing, Mizuhara’s attorney chose not to provide further comments.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally addressed the media after the hearing, emphasizing that Mizuhara exploited Ohtani’s situation as a non-English speaker navigating professional baseball’s celebrity status—underscoring that Ohtani is a clear victim in this case. “Mr. Mizuhara lied, he cheated and he stole. His behavior was shameless,” McNally remarked.
Defense attorney Michael Freedman sought a lenient sentence of one and a half years, highlighting Mizuhara’s gambling addiction that was exacerbated by his connection to a bookie who offered him significant credit due to his association with Ohtani. “He was exposed to a world in which he was given a unique and unlimited credit to run up these kinds of numbers,” Freedman noted.
Federal prosecutor Jeff Mitchell revealed that Mizuhara’s theft equated to about half of what Ohtani earned while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. He asserted that the damage extended beyond financial loss, pointing out that “the most significant harm to Mr. Ohtani is the reputational damage, which may never be fully repaired.”
The case has captivated international media, given it involves one of baseball’s most recognized players. It is part of a larger investigation into illegal sports betting operations in Southern California and the laundering of illicit funds through Las Vegas casinos.
Mizuhara gained access to Ohtani’s financial information in 2021 and altered security settings to impersonate the athlete for wire transfers. By 2024, he had spent a considerable amount on baseball cards and placed bets amounting to millions on various sports, including international soccer and college football—although prosecutors confirmed that he refrained from betting on baseball itself, indicating that Ohtani was completely unaware of the foul play.
Mizuhara, who was born in Japan and moved to California at the age of six, initially struggled with English but eventually became fluent. He returned to Japan in 2013 to work as an interpreter for a baseball team before being hired by Ohtani.
The connection between the two grew close, with Mizuhara moving in with Ohtani after the player relocated to the U.S. in 2018, facilitating duties such as shopping. Mizuhara was present for several of Ohtani’s significant achievements, including his Home Run Derby participation, two American League MVP awards, and his record-breaking $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Off the diamond, Mizuhara was more than just an interpreter; he was also a confidant. Notably, he resigned from his position with the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout in order to maintain communication with Ohtani, later being rehired when negotiations resumed. As of last year, Ohtani celebrated a World Series win along with the Dodgers and secured his third Most Valuable Player award.
