Bad Bet: Ohtani’s Interpreter Heads Behind Bars
Shohei Ohtani is on a fast track to becoming the greatest player in Major League Baseball history. The two-way star is dominant as a batter and pitcher, quickly becoming one of the faces of the MLB and an invaluable asset for any MLB franchise. Ohtani was rewarded as such after the 2023 season when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed the star player in free agency to a historic 10-year $700 million contract. Although unable to pitch in year one because of elbow surgery to fix an injured ligament in his throwing arm, the slugger still lived up to the contract – being the first player in MLB history to join the 50-50 club (home runs and stolen bases) and winning a World Series with a stacked Dodgers club.
The start of the 2024 season wasn’t without controversy for Shohei Ohtani as he found himself embroiled in a betting scandal that could have completely derailed his first year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Scandal
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the 2024 MLB season playing a series in Seoul, South Korea against the San Diego Padres. While over there, a story developed about a total of $4.5 million in wire transfers being sent from Shohei Ohtani’s bank account to a bookie named Matt Bowyer who ran a bookmaking operation under federal investigation.
Immediately this lead the baseball world to think that Ohtani himself was involved in this and thus, what would the baseball future look like for the game’s biggest star? As information continued to come to light news though, it became apparent that Ohtani had nothing to do with this and was a victim of fraud, theft and a breach of trust from his longtime friend and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
"In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities." – Shohei Ohtani’s Lawyers
"He didn't know any of it, didn't know there was some inquiry. After the game, that's when he found out. ... He didn't know what the f--- was going on." – Shohei Ohtani Spokesperson
Legal Proceedings
Ippei Mizuhara didn’t stand much of a chance in Federal Court. Government evidence, Mizuhara’s statements to media, a victim impact of Shohei Ohtani and damning audio evidence of Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani in a call to the bank about a $200,000 wire transfer all culminated in an easy decision for the judge presiding over the matter.
Ippei Mizuhara’s two main points of defense were: first, that he was severely underpaid by Ohtani, but this was quickly debunked with proof of Ohtani paying his rent, his Porsche, trips for Mizuhara and his wife and regularly tipping him amounts in the 5-figures, and second, he had a gambling addiction.
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In the end, Mizuhara simply begged for forgiveness.
“I beg your mercy, and I promise I will make the most of it.” – Ippei Mizuhara in Federal Court
A 57-month prison sentence and $18 million restitution to the IRS and Shohei Ohtani was handed to Ippei Mizuhara – exactly what the government asked for.
“The sentence, both the prison time and restitution reflect the seriousness of the offense and sends a strong message to others who might decide to engage in this sort of conduct.” - Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally