Close betrayal: Ippei Mizuhara charged with fraud

Lea Hogg April 15, 2024

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Close betrayal: Ippei Mizuhara charged with fraud

Ippei Mizuhara, a former translator and personal confidant of Major Baseball League (MLB) star Shohei Ohtani, has been officially charged with bank fraud. The charges come after an investigation revealed that over $16 million had been illicitly transferred from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaking operation.

Mizuhara’s relationship with Ohtani was not just professional but personal as well. Their bond, however, did not deter Mizuhara from exploiting his position of trust. The discovery of the fraudulent transfers led to his immediate dismissal, and he is expected to appear in the United States District Court in Los Angeles within the next few days.

The severity of the charges against Mizuhara is underscored by the potential sentence he faces. If convicted, Mizuhara could spend up to 30 years in federal prison, a stark reminder of the serious consequences of such fraudulent activities.

Martin Estrada, the United States Attorney for the Central District of California, emphasized that Ohtani is considered a victim in this case. He stated, “There is no evidence to indicate that Ohtani authorized the over $16 million of transfers from his account to the bookmakers.”

Stardom to scandal

Ohtani, who was part of a record-breaking deal in December 2023 when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him for $700 million, has been voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice, with unanimous votes on both occasions. This marks another record in MLB history.

The MLB, aware of the charges filed against Mizuhara, has stated, “According to the federal investigation, Shohei Ohtani is considered a victim of fraud and there is no evidence that he authorized betting with an illegal bookmaker. Given the information disclosed today, and other information we have already collected, we will wait until resolution of the criminal proceeding to determine whether further investigation is warranted.”

This case clearly demonstrates that potential vulnerabilities are not exclusive to any profile, even those that are high-profile. The critical need for alertness and thorough verification in financial transactions is paramount no matter whose profile it may be.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the baseball community and fans worldwide will be watching closely, hoping for justice for their beloved player.