Ippei Mizuhara, formerly the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty on two charges including bank fraud in an arraignment next week, the U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege that Mizuhara, 39, stole nearly $17 million from one of the baseball player's bank accounts from 2021 to this year to cover gambling debts and other personal expenses.
Approximately $16.5 million of the total amount misappropriated was used to pay gambling debts and Mizuhara called the bank impersonating Ohtani on approximately 24 occasions to facilitate his crimes, the Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said.
The total included $325,000 he took from the account between January and March to buy baseball cards featuring Ohtani and other players to resell them in the future, the office said.
As for the second charge, the former interpreter is accused of submitting a false tax return for 2022, knowing the income he received that year far exceeded the amount he reported.
The arraignment of Mizuhara was initially scheduled for Thursday but was rescheduled to Tuesday at the request of federal prosecutors and the defense who said additional procedures were needed.
U.S. media reported Mizuhara could face up to 33 years in prison, but the prosecutors' office said it will recommend a reduction of the term.
Mizuhara made his first appearance in the case at the court on April 12 after turning himself in to authorities. He was released on a bond the same day.
Prior to his release, Mizuhara accepted orders from the court to submit his passport, refrain from contacting Ohtani or the bookmaker, and undergo treatment for gambling addiction.
The theft allegations emerged through media reports while the Dodgers were on a trip to Seoul in March that included a pair of season-opening games against the San Diego Padres. Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers following the revelation.
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Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter negotiating guilty plea: report
