Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, faces sentencing after admitting to stealing millions of dollars from the MLB star. However, federal prosecutors have challenged his claim that gambling addiction was the driving force behind his actions.
According to court documents filed last Thursday, prosecutors argue that there is no evidence to support Mizuhara’s assertion of a long-standing gambling addiction, casting doubt on the justification for his crimes.
Federal investigation reveals new details about Mizuhara’s financial history
Mizuhara, who pled guilty to stealing from Ohtani, is set to be sentenced on February 6. In his sentencing request, he asked for a reduced sentence of 18 months, instead of the nearly five years that prosecutors are seeking. He admitted to his actions, blaming them on what he described as a long-standing gambling addiction. Mizuhara claimed he frequently visited casinos and that his addiction spiraled out of control, ultimately leading him to steal from Ohtani.
However, federal prosecutors assert that there is no credible evidence to support Mizuhara’s claims. They argue that their investigation uncovered only minimal evidence of Mizuhara’s gambling activities. The evidence included a record showing a $200 expenditure at the Mirage casino in 2008, but no signs of a substantial gambling problem. Mizuhara’s online gambling activity, including a registration with DraftKings in 2023, came after he had already stolen significant amounts from Ohtani.
Prosecutors further emphasized that Mizuhara had more than enough funds in his personal bank account at the time of the theft. In fact, they found that Mizuhara had over $34,000 in his account when he first began transferring money from Ohtani’s account, including a $40,000 fraudulent transfer in September 2021. According to prosecutors, Mizuhara’s actions were not motivated by financial desperation, as he had ample funds to cover his gambling expenses without resorting to theft.
Mizuhara’s lawyer, Michael Freedman, declined to comment on the case. Nevertheless, prosecutors continue to argue that Mizuhara’s claims are part of an attempt to justify his actions rather than show true remorse for his crimes.
The sentencing of Ippei Mizuhara is highly anticipated, as prosecutors are pushing for a harsh penalty to reflect the severity of his theft. They are seeking a 57-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and restitution payments of over $16 million to Ohtani, along with a fine of $1.1 million to the IRS.
This case highlights the growing concerns surrounding financial misconduct in professional sports, particularly involving trusted figures like personal interpreters and assistants. Mizuhara’s actions not only impacted Ohtani’s finances but also his reputation, as the fraud drew international attention to the star and his former employee.
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