Former interpreter for Ohtani ordered by judge to undergo treatment for gambling addiction in sports betting case

Former Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter charged with federal bank fraud for stealing millions from Shohei Ohtani

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the slugger. Ippei Mizuhara exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to plunder $16 million from the two-way player’s bank account for years, prosecutors said.

A federal judge on Friday ordered Mizuhara released on $25,000 bond and mandated he undergo gambling addiction treatment. Mizuhara faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the one count of bank fraud he is charged with.

During the court appearance, Mizuhara only spoke to answer the judge’s questions, wearing a dark suit and a white collared shirt. He turned himself in ahead of the hearing and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 9.

The judge imposed several bond conditions on Mizuhara, including a prohibition on gambling and contact with any victims or witnesses in the case. Mizuhara must also submit to drug testing and surrender his passport.

Prosecutors stated that there is no evidence Ohtani was involved in or aware of Mizuhara’s gambling, and Ohtani is cooperating with investigators. Major League Baseball opened its own investigation and the Dodgers fired Mizuhara immediately after the controversy surfaced.