Shohei Ohtani's best friend and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has pleaded guilty to bank fraud after stealing almost $17 million from the superstar to repay sports betting debts.
The charge on Wednesday has a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Mizuhara also pleaded guilty to one count of subscribing to a false tax return, which has a maximum of three years in prison, state officials said.
"Mizuhara took advance of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit," said U.S> Attorney Martin Estrada in a statement on Wednesday.
The guilty plea confirms what Ohtani had claimed throughout this process insofar that he had no financial part in Mizuhara's sports betting habits.
Mizuhara lost the nearly $17 million by wagering on soccer, basketball and other sports unrelated to baseball.
Mizuhara hadn't just been interpreter to Ohtani — he was a crucial member of his entourage. Mizuhara would drive him to and from games, provide advice on career decisions and serve as his main point of contact throughout the baseball season. Mizuhara — who grew up in neighboring Diamond Bar — would even sometimes cook meals for Ohtani.
Mizuhara and Ohtani’s relationship dates back to when the two-way star was 18-years-old as a rookie in Japan and blossomed into a nearly 12-year partnership.
When Ohtani decided to make the leap to MLB, he made it clear that Mizuhara be a part of his transition.
Now, Mizuhara faces potential prison time.
Meanwhile, Ohtani is having one of his best seasons in MLB at the plate, where he leads the league in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, homers and OPS+.
The two-way superstar is sidelined from the mound this season after undergoing elbow surgery in the offseason. The plan is to get him back to both a pitcher and hitter in the 2025 season.
Ohtani signed a North American record contract in December for $700 million over 10 years, most of which is deferred.
