Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is set to plead guilty to charges stemming from the theft of nearly $17 million from the baseball superstar’s bank account. The U.S. Attorney’s office announced that Mizuhara has agreed to plead guilty to one federal count each of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return.
On Monday, Mizuhara entered a “Not Guilty” plea as a formality, which is part of a plea bargain negotiated with federal prosecutors. This procedural step allows Mizuhara to formally enter his guilty plea at a later date.
Mizuhara is scheduled to appear in a Santa Ana courtroom on June 4th to enter his guilty plea. The charges against him are serious, and if convicted, Mizuhara could face up to 33 years in federal prison.
The allegations against Mizuhara include manipulating Ohtani’s bank accounts to transfer substantial amounts of money for his personal use. Additionally, Mizuhara is accused of filing false tax returns to conceal the fraudulent activities.
Ohtani, a prominent figure in Major League Baseball known for his exceptional skills as both a pitcher and a hitter, relied on Mizuhara for translation and personal assistance since his arrival in the United States. The betrayal has been a significant shock to Ohtani and the baseball community.
The case has drawn significant media attention due to Ohtani’s high profile and the substantial amount of money involved. As the legal process unfolds, the focus will be on the details of the plea agreement and the subsequent sentencing.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and trust in professional relationships, particularly for high-profile individuals who rely on close aides for their personal and financial affairs.
