Servin' Time for Shohei's Ex-Interpreter
Shohei Ohtani's Former Interpreter Fabricated Identities to Duplicate MLB Player in 24 Bank Phone Conversations
The ex-interpreter of LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Ippe Mizuhara, is looking at some serious jail time. Fed ups demand a 57-month sentence, but his defense team's aiming for just 18 months at the February 6 sentencing. Yeah, it's up to the judge to decide final time.
Feds think they can sway the decision with some audio recordings. Apparently, Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani 24 times on calls with bank officials, using verification info like a six-digit code sent via text. In one killer example, Mizuhara rang the bank to wire funds, claiming the online banking portal was hosed. He pretended to be Ohtani and authorized the transfer. When the bank agent asked who the money was going to, Mizuhara called it a friend, saying he might send more dough to the same account—prosecutors redacted the name, but EDSPORTS reported in May that some wires were for a guy named Ryan Boyajian.
Got Caught Stealin' Balls and Bucks
Prosecutors are eyeing Mizuhara to pay back the $17m he filched as restitution, plus an extra $1.1m to the IRS. But let's face it, they're aware he ain't got the dough to cover it. Mizuhara worked as an Uber Eats driver after the scandal hit the fan before getting canned due to the legal drama.
He's expressed his remorse for the fraud and apologized to Ohtani in a letter to the judge. In it, he stated, "I am truly sorry for betrayin' his trust in me." Mizuhara's been playing the gambling game since he was 18, frequenting casinos multiple times a week before moving on to sports betting and poker. He linked up with an illegal bookmaker named Mathew Bowyer post-LA move and placed around 19,000 wagers with him, racking up over $40m in debt.
Insight:
The conflicts surrounding the sentencing of Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, stem from multiple factors:- Mizuhara exploited his close, trusted relationship with Ohtani, who considered him a confidant since their time in Japan and throughout Ohtani's MLB career. Prosecutors emphasized that Mizuhara took advantage of this trust by impersonating Ohtani to the bank, including authorizing fraudulent transfers.- Despite Mizuhara’s attorney requesting an 18-month sentence, the judge enforced the full 57 months, highlighting the gravity of the betrayal and financial damage done.- Mizuhara's gambling activities involved over 19,000 wagers totaling $325 million with an illegal California sportsbook, resulting in net losses of about $40.2 million, attempted to be covered by acquiring funds from Ohtani.- The sentencing sparked mixed feelings: while Ohtani expressed that Mizuhara's guilty plea provided important closure, the breach of trust by someone so close to a superstar athlete brought attention to the vulnerabilities high-profile sports figures face with close associates.- Mizuhara is required to pay restitution to Ohtani and the IRS, but the exact amounts may vary prior to the October 25 sentencing hearing.
In summary, the current going sentencing recommendation for Ippei Mizuhara is 57 months in prison, underlining the judge’s stern stance on the significant embezzlement and fraud committed against Shohei Ohtani. The controversy primarily revolves around the depth of the betrayal of trust, Mizuhara's impersonation, and the extraordinary scale of illegal gambling activities intertwined with the crimes.
- The gambling addiction of Ippei Mizuhara, who deceitfully impersonated Shohei Ohtani to authorize fraudulent transfers, is a part of the general news, as it highlights crime and justice issues, especially in the context of casino-and-gambling trends.
- The restitution amount that Mizuhara, guilty of embezzling $17 million from Ohtani and facing additional charges from the IRS, may be required to pay as part of the sentencing in February, is a significant aspect of the overall crime-and-justice news, given his gambling-trends involvement and the impact on the victim, Ohtani.
