Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for stealing nearly $17 million from his bank account. Mizuhara used the money to gamble and cover other expenses.
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud . Mizuhara, who acted as a bridge between Ohtani and his English-speaking teammates and fans, pleaded guilty last year to stealing nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player's bank account.
He was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal court in Santa Ana and ordered to pay $18 million in restitution, with nearly $17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the IRS. Mizuhara is also facing three years of supervised release after his prison term and must surrender to authorities by March 24.U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb, while issuing the sentence, emphasized the shocking magnitude of the theft, stating that most people don't earn that much money in their lifetime. He expressed hope that Mizuhara would be able to repay the stolen funds, although acknowledging it remains to be seen. Mizuhara addressed the court, offering a sincere apology to Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the government, and his family, acknowledging his grave actions and accepting responsibility for his crimes.Prosecutors revealed that Mizuhara used the stolen money to cover his escalating gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, purchase $325,000 worth of baseball cards, and even pay for his own dental bills. His attorney, Michael Freedman, argued for a lighter sentence, citing Mizuhara's gambling addiction and the influence of a bookie who readily provided him with large sums of credit due to his connection to Ohtani. He portrayed Mizuhara as susceptible to the pressures of the world of celebrity baseball and the easy access to credit that came with it.However, federal prosecutor Jeff Mitchell countered that the damage inflicted on Ohtani went beyond the financial loss. He stressed that the most significant harm was the reputational damage, which may be irreparable, highlighting the betrayal of trust and the violation of Ohtani's vulnerability as a non-English speaking individual navigating the complexities of fame and fortune in the world of professional baseball. The case garnered international attention, raising concerns about exploitation and the vulnerabilities of high-profile individuals
BANK FRAUD TAX FRAUD SHOHEI OHTANI IPPEI MIZUHARA LOS ANGELES DODGERS GAMBLING SENTENCE
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Ohtani Interpreter Sentenced for Stealing $17 MillionIppei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, faces sentencing for stealing nearly $17 million from the baseball star. Prosecutors presented a recording of Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani during a bank transaction for a $200,000 car loan, as evidence in their case for a nearly five-year sentence.
Read more »
Shohei Ohtani's Former Interpreter Impersonates Star in Bank Wire Fraud CaseA nearly four-minute audio recording of Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, impersonating the baseball star during a bank call is being used by federal prosecutors to seek a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani.
Read more »
Ohtani's Former Interpreter Impersonated Him in $200,000 Bank Transfer, Prosecutors SayIppei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, is facing nearly five years in prison for stealing almost $17 million from the baseball star. Prosecutors are using an audio recording where Mizuhara allegedly impersonates Ohtani while attempting a $200,000 transfer for a car loan to support their case for a lengthy sentence.
Read more »
Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter Used Voice to Steal $200,000 From Star's AccountIppei Mizuhara, former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, impersonated him on a bank call to transfer $200,000, according to prosecutors. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani, and prosecutors are seeking a nearly five-year sentence.
Read more »
Shohei Ohtani's Former Interpreter Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years in Prison for FraudIppei Mizuhara, the interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani's bank account. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges and will also pay $18 million in restitution.
Read more »
Ontario Invests $17 Million to Upgrade St. Joseph's Hospital Air Handling SystemThe provincial government of Ontario is allocating $17 million to renovate the air handling system at St. Joseph's Hospital in Thunder Bay. The project includes renovations to 4,000 square feet of space and the replacement of four air handling units. Officials emphasize the importance of a modern and efficient air handling system for a healthy healthcare environment, especially in light of lessons learned during the pandemic.
Read more »