In a dramatic turn of events, Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for stealing nearly $17 million to repay gambling debts. U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb handed down the sentence on Thursday, also ordering Mizuhara to pay restitution of nearly $17 million to Ohtani and $1.1 million to the IRS.
Mizuhara, who had been Ohtani’s confidant and interpreter since the star’s arrival in the U.S. in 2018, admitted to making about 19,000 bets with an illegal bookmaker over a two-year period, accumulating over $40 million in debt.
The theft came to light in March 2024, when federal authorities discovered Ohtani’s name on wire payments to Mizuhara’s bookie. In court, Mizuhara expressed deep remorse, saying, “I want to say I am truly sorry to Mr. Ohtani for what I have done.”
A resolution is in place
His attorney, Michael G. Freedman, highlighted Mizuhara’s gambling addiction, which he claimed was exacerbated by the large amounts of credit extended by the bookie. However, prosecutors argued that there was minimal evidence of Mizuhara’s gambling history before he began stealing from Ohtani.
The Dodgers promptly fired Mizuhara in March 2024 after an ESPN investigation revealed the extent of his actions. Mizuhara’s defense team had requested an 18-month sentence, citing his gambling addiction, but the judge sided with the prosecution’s recommendation of 57 months.
Mizuhara’s downfall has been a shocking saga, shedding light on the vulnerabilities even the most successful athletes can face. As Mizuhara faces his prison sentence, Ohtani continues to focus on his career, determined to move past the betrayal.
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