LOS ANGELES – The commencement of a prison term for Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for renowned baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani, has been delayed, according to federal authorities. Initially scheduled to report to prison on Monday, Mizuhara’s new surrender timeline remains confidential. Justice Department spokesperson, Ciaran McEvoy, provided these details on Monday.
Sentenced in Santa Ana federal court for bank and tax fraud last month, Mizuhara faced a term of four years and nine months after embezzling nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s account with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was slated to begin his sentence by Monday. Mizuhara previously pleaded guilty and has expressed remorse for his actions toward Ohtani, the Dodgers, the government, and his family during court proceedings.
As Ohtani’s interpreter, Mizuhara was expected to facilitate communication between the Japanese athlete and his English-speaking teammates and fans. However, prosecutors revealed that starting in 2021, Mizuhara accessed the baseball star’s bank account, modifying security protocols to impersonate Ohtani for unauthorized wire transfers.
It was revealed that the misappropriated funds supported Mizuhara’s escalating gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, alongside purchases of baseball cards worth $325,000 and personal dental costs. In addition to serving the prison sentence, Mizuhara has been ordered to pay $18 million in restitution, with nearly $17 million allocated to Ohtani and the rest directed towards the IRS. Furthermore, he will face three years of supervised release.
In the baseball community, Mizuhara was not just an interpreter; he was a key figure throughout many of Ohtani’s career-defining moments. From his pivotal role during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game to supporting Ohtani’s consecutive American League MVP victories, Mizuhara was a constant presence. Moreover, he played a significant part during Ohtani’s $700 million, decade-long contract deal with the Dodgers.
Beyond baseball, Mizuhara was also Ohtani’s friend and confidant. In 2021, during the MLB lockout, Mizuhara notably resigned from the Los Angeles Angels to maintain his relationship with Ohtani, only to be rehired after the lockout concluded.
This case has sparked a media furor worldwide and is part of a larger investigation into illegal sports betting rings in Southern California, focusing on money laundering activities through Las Vegas casinos.