The former Japanese-language translator for Shohei Ohtani was charged with bank fraud for allegedly stealing more than $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar to pay off gambling debts.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the dugout during a game against the Chicago White Sox at the Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona.LOS ANGELES, United States -- Ippei Mizuhara, 39, made a series of unauthorized transfers from Ohtani's checking account between November 2021 and January 2024, the Justice Department said.
It said Mizuhara in 2018 accompanied Ohtani, who did not speak any English at the time, to a bank branch in Arizona to open an account. "He used and abused that position of trust in order to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and to feed his insatiable appetite for sports betting," Estrada said, adding that Mizuhara "committed fraud on a massive scale."
Mizuhara also would allegedly falsely identify himself as Ohtani to trick bank employees into authorizing wire transfers. Major League Baseball's gambling policy bars "any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee" from betting on baseball or making illegal bets on any other sport.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ohtani wins in Dodgers home debut; Rangers open MLB title defense with winJapanese star Shohei Ohtani made a triumphant Los Angeles Dodgers home debut, getting help from fellow Most Valuable Player teammates in a 7-1 rout of St. Louis.
Read more »
Embattled Shohei Ohtani delivers for Dodgers in first home gameBaseball superstar Shohei Ohtani receives a thunderous welcome despite off-field issues in his first home game with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Read more »
Dodgers fire star Ohtani’s interpreter after theft allegationDefining the News
Read more »
No questions: Dodgers shield Shohei Ohtani from media after interpreter firedBaseball star Shohei Ohtani plays his first game since the story of his interpreter’s ‘massive theft’ became public, but the LA Dodgers opt to no longer comment on the issue
Read more »
Dodgers optimistic Ohtani will make better connection with teammates after interpreter’s firingShohei Ohtani could be more open with teammates without 'buffer' Mizuhara, Dodgers manager says ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani's life will be fundamentally different in the coming weeks and months without Ippei Mizuhara, his interpreter and constant companion ever since he moved to the majors from Japan.
Read more »
MLB investigates Ohtani, ex-interpreter scandalLOS ANGELES: Major League Baseball on Friday (Saturday in Manila) announced a formal investigation into the scandal swirling around Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter amid charges the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar was the victim of 'massive theft.
Read more »