Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter pleads guilty to gambling-related theft charges

Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter pleads guilty to gambling-related theft charges


Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, leaves federal court in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 14, 2024. 

Mike Blake | Reuters

The former translator for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal charges stemming from his multi-million-dollar thefts from the baseball icon.

Ippei Mizuhara, 39, appeared in a Santa Ana courtroom and admitted his guilt to single counts of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return.

U.S. District Court Judge John Holcomb scheduled Mizuhara’s sentencing for Oct. 25

Mizuhara began making bets with an illegal bookmaker in September 2021, running up a massive bill, prosecutors have said.

When word of the federal probe first leaked in March, there were concerns about Ohtani possibly having connections to betting on baseball, a strictly verboten act under MLB guidelines.

But federal prosecutors have made it clear that they purely view Ohtani as a victim of Mizuhara, who took advantage of the trust the player had in him.

Mizuhara used Ohtani’s password to get to his bank account, without his knowledge or permission, to pay off gambling debts, prosecutors have said.

Ohtani is arguably the world’s best known baseball player, now in his seventh MLB season.

He signed a heavily backloaded, team-friendly $700 million contract this past off season with the Dodgers. His first six seasons in North America were spent with the nearby Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani is one of baseball’s most valuable players for his ability to both hit and pitch at a high level, a feat not seen since the early 20th century when Babe Ruth was still with the Boston Red Sox.

The two-way star Ohtani is still recovering from an elbow injury that’s keeping him off the mound in 2024 and limiting his action to the batter’s box.

Ohtani is still one of baseball’s most valuable players, even as a mere one-way performer this season. On Tuesday, Ohtani was in the top 10 of base hits, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. 

— Linda Takahashi contributed.



Source

Japanese family businesses are facing a succession crisis. That is fueling a private equity boom
World

Japanese family businesses are facing a succession crisis. That is fueling a private equity boom

Japan Inc. is confronting a ticking demographic time bomb, and private equity players are racing to defuse it. Across the country, ageing business owners are facing a dual reckoning: heirs not interested in taking over the family business, and steep inheritance taxes. For many family businesses, rooted in the tradition of handing over the reins […]

Read More
Stock futures rise ahead of big earnings week: Live updates
World

Stock futures rise ahead of big earnings week: Live updates

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 16, 2025. Jeenah Moon | Reuters Stock futures moved higher Sunday night as investors turn their attention towards a slew of big-name earnings reports and inflation data expected in the coming days. Futures tied to the Dow […]

Read More
Israel strikes Gaza in first major test of ceasefire
World

Israel strikes Gaza in first major test of ceasefire

Palestinians transport an injured man following what, according to medics, was an Israeli strike, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 19, 2025. Mahmoud Issa | Reuters Israel’s military said it struck multiple targets on Sunday in Gaza, using aircraft and artillery, after it said Hamas militants shot at Israeli […]

Read More