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After weeks of public embarrassment, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is formally being punished for stealing millions from him. This will put an end to the high-profile headache for Ohtani, who has continued to play at an MVP level despite the distraction.
Ippei Mizuhara pled guilty to bank and tax fraud on Tuesday in a change-of-plea hearing, via ESPN's Aldan Gonzalez.
“NEWS: Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former and longtime interpreter, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges during a change-of-plea hearing in federal court this morning,” Gonzalez tweeted. “Total maximum sentence: 33 years. Sentencing is set for Oct. 25 at 2 pm PT.”
The 39-year-old stole north of $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports gambling debts. Mizuhara originally pled guilty through an agreement he signed in May, but Tuesday's hearing in Santa Ana, California made it official.
The Japanese native gave a short statement in court, via Yahoo Sports' Stefanie Dazio and Amy Taxin.
“I worked for victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into major gambling debt,” he said. “I went ahead and wired money … with his bank account.”
Mizuhara took over $142 million home in winnings, but lost $183 million, netting a loss of about $41 million. He plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, carrying sentences of up to 30 and three years in federal prison, respectively.
The Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March after the news broke. The MLB then launched an investigation, and the rest was history.
Ohtani has been cleared of any potential wrongdoing, via ESPN's Jeff Passan.
“After Ippei Mizuhara's guilty plea, MLB has cleared Shohei Ohtani and closed its investigation, citing the thoroughness of the federal investigation and the criminal proceedings not being contested,” Passan tweeted. “‘MLB considers Shohei Ohtani a victim of fraud and this matter has been closed.'”
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Mizuhara will pay Ohtani over $17 million in restitution, and over $1 million to the IRS.
Will Ohtani continue to rake baseballs now that this case is behind him?
Ohtani has proven at this point that nothing can stop him
Ohtani hasn't missed a beat so far, slashing .322/.392/.596 with 14 homers and 38 RBI. The former Anaheim Angel ranks fourth in the league in batting average and OPS (.988).
Ohtani's hitting exclusively this season for the first time in his career, due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old's break from the mound has allowed him to focus more on his contact hitting, as this would be the highest batting average of his career if he maintains it throughout the season.
Ohtani's contributions have helped power Los Angeles to a 38-23 record, good for a seven-game lead atop the NL West. With “Shotime” now able to fully move on from the Mizuhara situation, he should only get even better from here on out.
With Ohtani set to make the playoffs for the first time in his career, this season is an opportunity for him to add to his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace a baseball diamond. If the two-time AL MVP can add a few World Series rings to his cabinet, it'll be hard to argue for anyone else as the best of all time.
