In a dramatic turn of events, Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that defrauded multiple individuals, including Ohtani himself, out of nearly $4 million. The scheme, which included gambling-related activities, came to light during investigations that revealed Mizuhara was using Ohtani’s name to garner trust and access funds from unsuspecting investors. The sentencing occurred on Tuesday, where U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney emphasized the breach of trust involved in Mizuhara’s actions, stating, ‘You used your relationship with a highly respected athlete to defraud others.’ Mizuhara, who was also ordered to forfeit $3.7 million, expressed regret for his actions during the court hearing, stating, ‘I was deeply wrong and my actions have harmed many.’ Ohtani’s management has since distanced the player from Mizuhara, reinforcing that the interpreter acted independently and that Ohtani had no knowledge of the fraudulent activities. Following the sentencing, Ohtani himself released a statement urging fans and supporters to focus on positive aspects of the game and to ‘stay true to the spirit of baseball.’ Mizuhara’s case has raised significant concerns regarding the vulnerability of professional athletes to fraudsters and the trust placed in those who surround them.
Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Mizuhara Sentenced to 57 Months for Fraud
