Federal police say that the person who used to translate for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stole more than $16 million from the two-time AL MVP's bank account.
At a press meeting, the government laid out its case against Ippei Mizuhara. They said he used Othani's baseball salary to pay off bills by sending millions of dollars to an accused illegal sports book.
The bets do not seem to have been on baseball, according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.
Estrada said Mizuhara bets took place from 2021 to 2024. There was no way for Mizuhara to talk to Ohtani's financial advisors when she set up the account for him.
The illegal payments of $16 million came from Ohtani's bank account, which was named as "Victim A" in a statement.
With the same account, Mizuhara bought 1,000 baseball cards on eBay and other sites for $325,000 from January to March 2024. He then used a fake name to mail the cards to the Dodgers' dugout.
Police say they talked to Ohtani last week and that after giving them his cellphone, he denied knowing anything about the wire payments. Officials said there was no proof that Ohtani knew or was involved in Mizuhara's illegal actions.
According to government standards, Mizuhara, who is 39 years old, could get 30 years in jail and a $1 million fine.
At a press meeting, the government laid out its case against Ippei Mizuhara. They said he used Othani's baseball salary to pay off bills by sending millions of dollars to an accused illegal sports book.
The bets do not seem to have been on baseball, according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.
Estrada said Mizuhara bets took place from 2021 to 2024. There was no way for Mizuhara to talk to Ohtani's financial advisors when she set up the account for him.
The illegal payments of $16 million came from Ohtani's bank account, which was named as "Victim A" in a statement.
With the same account, Mizuhara bought 1,000 baseball cards on eBay and other sites for $325,000 from January to March 2024. He then used a fake name to mail the cards to the Dodgers' dugout.
Police say they talked to Ohtani last week and that after giving them his cellphone, he denied knowing anything about the wire payments. Officials said there was no proof that Ohtani knew or was involved in Mizuhara's illegal actions.
According to government standards, Mizuhara, who is 39 years old, could get 30 years in jail and a $1 million fine.
