A 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.
A nearly four-minute audio recording, allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani 's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank, is being used by federal prosecutors to support their push for a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara. Mizuhara had previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing almost $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star.
Prosecutors are also seeking restitution of the nearly $17 million to Ohtani, as well as a penalty of more than $1 million to the IRS. Mizuhara is due to be sentenced February 6th after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. According to a court filing and obtained by The Associated Press, the recording details Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani during a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer US$200,000 for what he describes as a car loan. In the recording, a man is heard identifying himself as Ohtani and stating that he tried to log into online banking but it wasn't available. He later confirms that the transaction amount is $200,000. The recording was obtained from the bank, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell. It’s unclear when it was made. Towards the end of the call, the woman from the bank asks, “Will there be any future wires to your friend?” The legal filing states that Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s account beginning around November 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara allegedly had used that money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers eBay and Whatnot. Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to spending millions from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as medical bills and the $325,000 worth of baseball cards. Mizuhara was present for many of the Japanese sensation’s career highlights: He was Ohtani’s catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game and was also present for his two American League MVP wins and record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers. Off the field, he became Ohtani’s friend and confidant. Mizuhara famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani — he was rehired after a deal was struck — and their wives reportedly socialized. But he gambled it all away, betting tens of millions of dollars that weren’t his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football — though prosecutors said he never bet on baseball
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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.
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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.
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Recording captured ex-interpreter impersonating Ohtani to transfer $200,000, prosecutors sayA nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani 's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer $200,000 for what he describes as a car loan, federal prosecu
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Recording captured ex-interpreter impersonating Ohtani to transfer $200,000, prosecutors sayA nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani 's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer $200,000 for what he describes as a car loan, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
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Recording captured ex-interpreter impersonating Ohtani to transfer $200,000, prosecutors sayA nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani 's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer $200,000 for what he describes as a car loan, federal prosecu
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