In a twist that reads more like a plot from a sports thriller than real life, Ippei Mizuhara, the man tasked with translating for two-way MLB sensation Shohei Ohtani, finds himself in hot water. According to federal prosecutors, Mizuhara, who also managed Ohtani’s day-to-day affairs, is embroiled in allegations of financial fraud, involving an eye-watering sum of over $16 million, meant to cover a mountain of gambling debts and to amass what can only be described as an enviable collection of baseball cards.
Mizuhara’s double life began to unravel through a detailed 37-page federal complaint, putting the spotlight on his alleged misdeeds. Positioned as both an interpreter and a gatekeeper, Mizuhara’s access to Ohtani’s finances was seemingly unhindered. Employing an alias “Jay Min,” Mizuhara ventured into the online world of eBay and Whatnot, purchasing around 1,000 baseball cards at an average price of $325 per card. This elaborate spending spree spanned from January of this year to just last month, all under the guise of an innocuous baseball enthusiast.
But Mizuhara’s interests weren’t confined to mere possession. The investigation turned up packages routed to him via the Dodgers’ facilities—where he perhaps felt his illicit parcels would escape notice—and later, within his vehicle, authorities discovered more cards, shielded in protective cases. Among them were cards depicting legendary figures like Juan Soto and Yogi Berra, and intriguingly, some of Shohei Ohtani himself.
These cards, viewed by many as tangible pieces of sporting history, were allegedly intended for sale, a likely bid by Mizuhara to capitalize on his secretive side hustle. However, the plot thickens beyond the trading card saga into the realms of high-stakes gambling. The picture painted by federal agents speaks volumes about Mizuhara’s gambits—around 19,000 bets resulting in a staggering net loss of $40.7 million, with no inklings of these bets touching the realms of Major League Baseball games.
As chilling details emerge, it is revealed how Mizuhara, under the pretext of assisting a non-English speaking Ohtani in 2018, facilitated the opening of a bank account. This account, intended for the baseball star’s financial ease, instead became a reservoir for Mizuhara’s personal exploits. Shocking as it may seem, the prosecution alleges that Mizuhara’s unsanctioned financial maneuvers weren’t accidental but a gross betrayal, exploiting his privileged position while masquerading routine authorizations and wire transfers as mundane managerial tasks.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada’s denunciation of Mizuhara’s schemes underlines a severe breach of trust, emphasizing the massive scope of the alleged fraud. As authorities and Ohtani, who has been cooperative and denies any knowledge or approval of the misappropriated transactions, brace for legal battles, the focus remains sharply on the interpreter.
Mizuhara’s upcoming court appearance in downtown Los Angeles looms as a day of reckoning, where he will have to face the music not just for the financial discrepancies but for the colossal breach of trust. His actions, if proven in court, could not only redefine his life but also cast a long shadow on the support systems entrusted by international athletes adapting to new shores. For Ohtani, this devastating revelation marks a stark betrayal but perhaps also a painful lesson in the complexities of fame, finance, and faith placed in those wielding it.
