Shohei Ohtani's Japanese interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was accused of allegedly stealing upwards of $16 million from the two-way MLB superstar, and now there is seemingly proof of this.
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New audio from a bank call reveals Ippei claiming to be Ohtani, as he attempts to wire $200,000, after it had already been flagged as fraud.
At the beginning of the call, the bank's phone operator on the other line asks Mizuhara, "Who am I speaking with?"
He right away responded, "Shohei Ohtani."
NEW: The Athletic has obtained the audio recording of Ippei Mizuhara impersonating Shohei Ohtani in a phone call to the bank.
Full phone call in the link ⤵️https://t.co/l0ueS1uz0M https://t.co/1X5aH6Sd0i pic.twitter.com/plwsV6IGbV
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 24, 2025
Ippei evidently had access to the main contact phone number on file (ending in 0373) as he was able to receive a one-time authorization code through text, which was part of the security process.
Then when asked the reason for sending the money, Ippei says it is for a "car loan" to his friend.
Audio has been released of Ippei Mizuhara impersonating Shohei Ohtani during a bank call
Ippei is looking at close to five years in prison
(via OGTA / Soundcloud) pic.twitter.com/3UOiJ4isHn
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) January 24, 2025
In reality, based on the court documents, evidently this wire transfer was to an illegal bookmaker, in order to pay off insurmountable gambling debts he had accumulated from sports betting.
Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara together on opening day.
Hours later It was discovered Ippei allegedly stole $16 million from Ohtani's to pay off sports gambling debts. pic.twitter.com/qPci9XwHOb
— Baseball Doesn't Exist (@BaseballDoesnt) November 1, 2024
Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6 after pleading guilty to bank and tax fraud charges. Federal prosecutors have recommended a 57-month prison sentence, while Ippei tried to get it as low as 18 months by vying for sympathy, saying he was underpaid and overworked.
Update: Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's fired interpreter, has asked for an 18-month sentence, citing addiction and regret. Mizuhara wrote he was "severely underpaid" and "on call 24/7."
"I only saw hope in life while I was gambling," his letter reads.https://t.co/36baFVYCPr pic.twitter.com/ulxo9pAggf
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 24, 2025
Ippei opened up about his gambling addiction in a message he sent to the judge.
"I felt terribly guilty about putting my hands on [Shohei Ohtani's] money but this was the only solution I could think of at the time," he wrote. "My debt kept growing and growing... and at this point the only way I thought I can get out of this debt and pay him back was to win it back in gambling."
The 40-year-old concluded, "I definitely feel like I had a terrible addiction at the time and I only saw hope in life while I was gambling."
Some may owe Ohtani an apology, as there were conspiracies floating around prior to this, that he was the one with the gambling debt and Ippei was just the "fall guy" trying to save his MLB career.
