Former Shohei Ohtani interpreter pleads guilty to stealing millions to pay off gambling debt

A former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty on Tuesday to stealing millions of dollars from the athlete to pay off his own gambling debts.

Ippei Mizuhara confessed that he stole millions from his client, beginning in 2021, when he made bets with an illegal bookkeeper. Mizuhara, who had access to Ohtani's bank account and passwords, had transferred at least $17 million from his client's bank account. 

Mizuhara, who worked as Ohtani's translator, admitted to his crimes in a statement in court on Tuesday, as part of the plea deal reached between the parties last month. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, and one count of filing a false income tax return, according to NBC News.

“I worked for victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into major gambling debt,” Mizuhara said in his statement. “I went ahead and wired money … with his bank account.”

He now faces up to 30 years in prison for the bank fraud, according to CNN, and three years for filing a false tax return. 

Ohtani, who is Japanese, had a close relationship with Mizuhara before the theft, and admitted he had a difficult time dealing with the betrayal. Ohtani was first believed to have been part of the illegal betting operations, which is forbidden in sports. But prosecutors have since said that Ohtani was a victim of Mizuhara's.

“Now that the investigation has been completed, this full admission of guilt has brought important closure to me and my family," Ohtani said in a statement. "I want to sincerely thank the authorities for finishing their thorough and effective investigation so quickly and uncovering all of the evidence."

He continued, "This has been a uniquely challenging time, so I am especially grateful for my support team — my family, agent, agency, lawyers, and advisors along with the entire Dodger organization, who showed endless support throughout this process."

The Japanese sports star is now on his seventh season in the Major League Baseball arena, and is considered one of the biggest baseball stars in the world. 

Mizuhara is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 25, 2024.