Jail for interpreter
US District Judge John W. Holcomb has sentenced the former interpreter involved in the Shohei Ohtani betting scandal to almost five years in a federal prison.
the interpreter stole nearly $17m from the MLB star’s bank account
Judge Holcomb on Thursday sentenced Ippei Mizuhara to four years and nine months in prison for bank and tax fraud after the interpreter stole nearly $17m from the MLB star’s bank account.
According to Associated Press, Holcomb also ordered Mizuhara to pay $18m restitution, with his former Los Angeles Dodgers employer getting $17m and the IRS what’s left.
The ruling requires the interpreter surrender to law enforcement officers by March 24, plus serve three years supervised release upon serving jail time.
Facing the music
In dispensing the sentence, Judge Holcomb referred to the “shockingly high” amount Mizuhara stole, stating most people don’t make $17m over a lifetime.
While the judge added he hoped the interpreter will be able to repay what he stole, he said it “remains to be seen” if Mizuhara can pony up such a major amount.
Mizuhara, meanwhile, apologized to Ohtani, the Dodgers, the government, and also his family in court on Thursday.
I am prepared to be punished”
“I am truly, deeply sorry for what I have done,” Mizuhara said. “I am prepared to be punished for it.”
According to AP, Mizuhara started in 2021 to abuse Ohtani’s bank account by impersonating the baseball star when making wire transfers. Come 2024 and Mizuhara had used Ohtani’s money to buy $325,000 worth of baseball cards and bet tens of millions of dollars on non-baseball sports, which included wagers on NBA, NFL, college football, and international soccer games.
Parting shot
As reporters gathered outside court in LA, Acting US Attorney Joseph T. McNally delivered them a post-sentencing comment, namely that Ohtani was a victim to his interpreter’s greed.
behavior was shameless”
“Mr. Mizuhara lied, he cheated and he stole. His behavior was shameless,” McNally stated.
Federal prosecutor Jeff Mitchell, however, said damage to Ohtani’s reputation “may never be fully repaired.”