Current:Home > NewsIppei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, likely to plead not guilty as a formality-LoTradeCoin
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, likely to plead not guilty as a formality
View Date:2024-12-23 23:09:35
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is expected to plead not guilty Tuesday to bank and tax fraud, a formality ahead of a plea deal he’s negotiated with federal prosecutors in a wide-ranging sports betting case.
Prosecutors said Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports gambling debts during a yearslong scheme, at times impersonating the Japanese baseball player to bankers, and exploited their personal and professional relationship. Mizuhara signed a plea agreement that detailed the allegations on May 5, and prosecutors announced it several days later.
Mizuhara’s arraignment in federal court in Los Angeles is set for Tuesday, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth will ask him to enter a plea to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. The expected not guilty plea is a procedural step as the case continues, even though he has already agreed to a plea deal. He is expected to plead guilty at a later date.
There was no evidence Ohtani was involved in or aware of Mizuhara’s gambling, and the player is cooperating with investigators, authorities said.
The court appearance comes after Ohtani’s back tightness forced him to leave a Saturday night game against the San Diego Padres. While he sat out Sunday’s game as well as a precaution, he’s having an outstanding season, hitting 11 home runs with a National League-best .352 batting average going into Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.
Mizuhara’s plea agreement says he will be required to pay Ohtani restitution that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. Those amounts could change prior to sentencing. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, and the false tax return charge carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison.
Mizuhara’s winning bets totaled over $142 million, which he deposited in his own bank account and not Ohtani’s. But his losing bets were around $183 million, a net loss of nearly $41 million. He did not wager on baseball.
He has been free on an unsecured $25,000 bond, colloquially known as a signature bond, meaning he did not have to put up any cash or collateral to be freed. If he violates the bond conditions — which include a requirement to undergo gambling addiction treatment — he will be on the hook for $25,000.
The Los Angeles Times and ESPN broke the news of the prosecution in late March, prompting the Dodgers to fire the interpreter and the MLB to open its own investigation.
MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering on baseball, even legally. MLB also bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.
Ohtani has sought to focus on the field as the case winds through the courts. Hours after his ex-interpreter first appeared in court in April, he hit his 175th home run in MLB — tying Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japan-born player — during the Dodgers’ 8-7 loss to the San Diego Padres in 11 innings.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
- A lawsuit alleging abuse at a NH youth center is going to trial. There are 1,000 more to come
- John Calipari's sudden move to Arkansas gives Kentucky basketball a chance at fresh start
- Robert Downey Jr. Reveals Honest Reaction to Jimmy Kimmel's 2024 Oscars Joke
- Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
- Alec Baldwin had no control of his own emotions on Rust set where cinematographer was fatally shot, prosecutor says
- 'I lost my 3-year-old': Ohio mom shares tip that brought her child back to safety
- The online eclipse experience: People on X get creative, political and possibly blind
- NBC's hospital sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' might heal you with laughter: Review
- More Amazon shoppers are scamming sellers with fraudulent returns
Ranking
- She was found dead while hitchhiking in 1974. An arrest has finally been made.
- Kristen Doute Sent This Bizarre Text to The Valley Costar After Racism Allegations
- The trial of an Arizona border rancher charged with killing a migrant has reached the halfway point
- Beyoncé’s Daughter Rumi, 6, Breaks Musical Record Held by Sister Blue Ivy
- Man killed by police in Minnesota was being sought in death of his pregnant wife
- Abortion rights across the US vary by state
- Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard country albums chart
- A man led police on a car chase, drove off a 100-foot cliff on Long Island and survived
Recommendation
-
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
-
Washington state ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines ruled unconstitutional, but state appeals
-
Missy Elliott announces first headlining tour featuring Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland
-
Beyoncé makes history as 'Cowboy Carter' debuts at No. 1, tops multiple album charts
-
Rare Alo Yoga Flash Sale: Don’t Miss 60% Off Deals With Styles as Low as $5
-
Experts warn not to look at solar eclipse with your phone camera — but share tricks for safely taking pictures
-
Morgan Wallen's Ex KT Smith Speaks Out Amid Reports Her Elopement Was Behind Bar Incident
-
A man accused of setting a fire outside Bernie Sanders’ office stayed at an area hotel for weeks