亡き妻が苦しみを訴える「痛いよ痛いよ」、大臣に伝える場でマイクが切れる　[熊本県]：朝日新聞デジタル

Federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday that Kippei Mizuhara, a former interpreter for Major League Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of bank fraud for illegally transferring $17 million from Ohtani’s account to cover gambling losses. The incident occurred in March 2024, when Mizuhara sent the funds without Ohtani’s knowledge.

Mizuhara, 39, admitted to using Ohtani’s account to cover his gambling debts, which totaled $26.5 million. The illegal transfer was part of a larger scheme involving illegal gambling activities. Mizuhara’s guilty plea comes after an investigation by federal authorities into the unauthorized transactions.

Ohtani, a prominent MLB player known for his exceptional pitching and hitting abilities, was shocked to learn about the fraudulent activity involving his account. The incident has raised concerns about the security of athletes’ financial accounts and the potential risks associated with unauthorized access.

The case has garnered significant media attention, with many questioning how Mizuhara was able to access Ohtani’s account and transfer such a large sum of money without detection. The guilty plea is expected to result in a substantial prison sentence for Mizuhara, who faces multiple charges related to the bank fraud scheme.

Ohtani’s representatives have stated that they are cooperating with authorities in the investigation and are taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of safeguarding personal financial information and the potential consequences of unauthorized access.