Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges in a federal court in Santa Ana, California on Tuesday and faces up to 33 years in prison.
Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports betting debts. Per the Associated Press, the bank fraud charge carries a maximum of 30 years in prison. The tax fraud charge carries up to three years in prison.
Mizihura addressed his crimes while speaking to the court.
“I worked for victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into major gambling debt,” Mizuhara said. “I went ahead and wired money … with his bank account.”
Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 25. He did not speak with reporters as he left the courthouse.
This story will be updated.
Source Agencies
