Ippei Mizuhara, once the trusted interpreter and right-hand man of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, turned a position of privilege into a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme, netting himself over $17 million.
From Trusted Ally to Master Manipulator
Mizuhara wasn’t just Ohtani’s translator; he was a constant presence in the star’s life, managing everything from finances to daily errands. This unique access made it easy for him to exploit Ohtani’s trust. Over the course of three years, Mizuhara rerouted Ohtani’s financial account details to his own email and phone number, giving him full control over the player’s funds.
With Ohtani unaware, Mizuhara posed as the baseball star during bank calls, even passing two-factor authentication by receiving verification codes sent to his own phone. Through these carefully orchestrated moves, Mizuhara orchestrated wire transfers, paying off personal debts and funding extravagant purchases.
Where the Money Went
Mizuhara’s fraudulent activity wasn’t subtle. His purchases included:
- $325,000 for baseball cards on eBay.
- A $60,000 check Ohtani provided for dental work, which Mizuhara deposited into his own account and charged the dental work to Ohtani’s debit card instead.
- Over $17 million in stolen funds, which he primarily lost to gambling debts while placing nearly 19,000 online bets.
A Gambling Addiction or Greed?
Mizuhara cited a lifelong gambling addiction as the driving force behind his crimes, claiming he was drowning in a $40.7 million gambling debt. However, federal prosecutors argued otherwise. They pointed out that Mizuhara spent the stolen money not only on gambling but also on personal luxuries, including lavish items and everyday expenses. They labeled his actions as calculated greed, not merely addiction-driven desperation.
A Shocking Betrayal
Mizuhara’s betrayal hit harder because of the close bond he shared with Ohtani. For years, Mizuhara acted as Ohtani’s confidant, chauffeur, and liaison, even handling sensitive legal and personal matters. This trust gave Mizuhara unguarded access to the athlete’s finances, which he used to fuel his fraudulent schemes.
The Fallout
After pleading guilty to bank fraud and filing false tax returns, Mizuhara faces a possible five-year prison sentence and restitution of nearly $17 million to Ohtani and $1.1 million to the IRS. Prosecutors have also suggested he may be deported to Japan, where the scandal has already caused significant public backlash. Once a vital part of Shohei Ohtani’s success story, Mizuhara is now a cautionary tale of how greed and betrayal can destroy even the closest relationships.
