A nearly four-minute audio recording has come to light, reportedly showcasing Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, impersonating the star during a phone call with a bank. In the call, Mizuhara sought to initiate a transfer of $200,000, which he indicated was intended for a car loan, according to assertions made by federal prosecutors on Thursday.
This recording, mentioned in a recent court filing and acquired through legal processes, is being utilized by prosecutors to bolster their request for a nearly five-year prison term for Mizuhara. He has already pleaded guilty to charges related to bank fraud and tax evasion, specifically for misappropriating almost $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player. The authorities are also pursuing reimbursement of this nearly $17 million sum to Ohtani, along with a separate fine exceeding $1 million owed to the IRS.
Mizuhara is scheduled for sentencing on February 6, having admitted guilt to one charge of bank fraud and one charge of filing a false tax return. His legal representative, Michael G. Freedman, has not provided a response to a request for comments concerning the ongoing case.
In the mentioned audio, the individual claims to be Ohtani and mentions difficulties in logging into his online banking account. He subsequently affirms the transfer amount of $200,000. When queried by the bank representative regarding the purpose of the transfer, he cites it as a car loan.
The bank employee inquires about his relationship with the intended recipient of the funds. The impersonator replies, “Um, he’s my friend.” The recording, as stated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell, was acquired from the banking institution, although the precise date of the recording remains unspecified.
Towards the conclusion of the conversation, the bank representative asks, “Will there be any future wires to your friend?” to which the man responds, “Possibly.” This audio was initially reported by The Athletic.
Legal documents indicate that Mizuhara began accessing Ohtani’s bank account around November 2021, taking steps to alter the security measures in place so he could replicate Ohtani’s identity and approve wire transfers. By the year 2024, it is claimed that Mizuhara misappropriated these funds to purchase approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards through online marketplaces such as eBay and Whatnot.
In June, Mizuhara confessed to spending millions from Ohtani’s Arizona banking account to settle burgeoning gambling debts with illegal bookmakers, medical expenses, and the aforementioned baseball card acquisitions. He was closely involved with many significant milestones in Ohtani’s career, serving as Ohtani’s catcher during the 2021 Home Run Derby and being present during his two American League MVP triumphs as well as his record-setting $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. Off the field, he developed a personal friendship with Ohtani.
Mizuhara infamously stepped down from his post with the Los Angeles Angels amid the 2021 MLB lockout to maintain communication with Ohtani and was later rehired once negotiations resumed. Reports indicate that their spouses developed a social connection as well. However, Mizuhara’s gambling tendencies led him to wager substantial sums of money he did not have, placing bets on various sports including international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football, though prosecutors emphasize that he did not place any bets on baseball itself.
