Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter reaches plea deal with prosecutors

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, reached a plea deal with prosecutors on Wednesday and is facing 87 to 108 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, federal prosecutors announced.

Mizuhara, 39, is pleading guilty to two counts -- bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return. The bank fraud charge alone carries a maximum of 30 years in prison.

"The extent of this defendant's deception and theft is massive," U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. "He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice."

Mizhura's arraignment is scheduled for May 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He is expected to enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks.

The Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March after the allegations surfaced. He had been working with Ohtani since the Japanese two-way star debuted with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017.

From December 2021 through January 2024, authorities allege Mizuhara placed about 19,000 bets with an average wager of $12,800 and total net losses of nearly $40.7 million.

Records seized during the investigation showed no betting on baseball games, however, and authorities said Ohtani was not aware of the alleged theft.

Ohtani, 29, signed a record-setting 10-year, $700 million with the Dodgers in December after batting .304 with an American League-leading 44 homers and 95 RBIs in 2023, when he earned his second unanimous AL MVP.

--Field Level Media