Former interpreter of Major League Baseball player Ohtani Shohei, Mizuhara Ippei, has been hit with criminal charges by US federal prosecutors for allegedly wiring over 16 million dollars from Ohtani’s bank account. The charges against Mizuhara include bank fraud, as he reportedly maintained access to Ohtani’s bank account while denying access to other professional advisers.
Authorities claim that Mizuhara misled bank employees by pretending to be Ohtani during phone calls, in an attempt to carry out the fraudulent transactions. Ohtani, who is considered a victim in this case, cooperated with investigators by granting access to his digital devices.
The prosecutors also revealed Mizuhara’s extensive gambling habits, stating that he placed around 19,000 bets between December 2021 and January this year, resulting in losses exceeding 40 million dollars. The winnings from these bets were allegedly deposited into Mizuhara’s personal account, with exchanges indicating his willingness to increase betting amounts without concern for payment.
In a message to the bookmaker, Mizuhara admitted to illegally accessing Ohtani’s account, further incriminating himself in the case. Authorities anticipate Mizuhara’s first court appearance in Los Angeles to take place as early as Friday.
The shocking allegations against Mizuhara have raised concerns about the security of professional athletes’ financial accounts and the potential risks posed by individuals with access to sensitive information. The case serves as a cautionary tale for athletes and their representatives to exercise vigilance in safeguarding their financial assets.