Alarming Revelations from a Federal Investigation
A shocking audio recording has come to light, revealing that Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly tried to execute a six-figure wire transfer by impersonating the Los Angeles Angels superstar. Federal prosecutors disclosed the four-minute recording on Thursday, highlighting Mizuhara’s deceitful actions during the ongoing investigation.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Mizuhara, who has been convicted of defrauding Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP, is facing serious legal consequences. The audio, obtained by The Athletic and used as critical evidence in court, has led prosecutors to recommend a nearly five-year prison sentence for Mizuhara, along with restitution to Ohtani.
In June 2024, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and filing a false tax return after stealing approximately $17 million from Ohtani, with whom he had a close friendship for years. The sentencing is scheduled for February 6.
How the Scheme Unfolded
The audio recording, which was sourced from a bank, illustrates how Mizuhara would call in to arrange wire transfers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell revealed that the recording was edited to remove specific bank names and the identity of an unnamed co-conspirator.
During the call, Mizuhara audaciously claimed to be Ohtani when asked by a bank agent, “Who am I speaking with?” He successfully bypassed the bank’s security protocols by altering Ohtani’s account information to include his own email and phone number. This allowed him to complete a two-factor authentication process using a code sent to his phone rather than Ohtani’s.
Manipulation of Bank Transactions
The recording captures Mizuhara matching the authentication code, facilitating a request for a $200,000 car loan. The bank agent, clearly on alert due to recent fraud trends, questions Mizuhara’s connection to the payee. Mizuhara responds, “He’s my friend,” and further asserts that he has met this friend in person on several occasions.
In a brief statement after his plea, Mizuhara admitted that he had stolen from Ohtani to settle “major gambling debts.” He expressed remorse for his actions, stating, “I went ahead and wired money … with his bank account.”
Financial Fallout and Ongoing Legal Implications
Prosecutors have requested that the restitution owed to Ohtani be set at nearly $17 million, although it’s noted that Mizuhara lacks the means to repay this amount. Additionally, the IRS is seeking $1.1 million in restitution from Mizuhara.
Despite the scale of his gambling activities, it was reported that Mizuhara’s winning bets totaled over $142 million, while his losses reached approximately $183 million. Notably, he did not wager on baseball, and there is no indication that Ohtani participated in any betting activities.
According to court filings, between December 2021 and January 2024, Mizuhara placed around 19,000 online bets through his bookie, Matthew Bowyer, who also pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling operation in August 2024. Mizuhara’s gambling debt spiraled to an alarming $40.7 million.
A Betrayal of Trust
In the court filing, Mitchell emphasized the gravity of Mizuhara’s actions, describing them as a “calculated betrayal” of Ohtani, the very person he was employed to assist.
Ohtani himself expressed his shock and disappointment regarding the betrayal, stating, “To summarize how I’m feeling right now, I’m just beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I’m feeling at this point. I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this.”
As the legal proceedings continue, the fallout from this high-profile case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for betrayal in close personal and professional relationships.
