Ippei Mizuhara Prepares to Begin Prison Sentence for Gambling-Related Crimes
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, is slated to report to federal prison this spring to commence a 57-month sentence following his conviction for gambling-related offenses. New court documents reveal he must surrender to authorities by May 12.
Mizuhara, who once held a trusted position with the Los Angeles Angels, was sentenced earlier this year for embezzling $17 million from Ohtani. His illicit activities included using those funds to settle considerable gambling debts incurred with an illegal bookmaker based in California.
The latest reporting date is a postponement from Mizuhara’s original deadline of March 24. In June of last year, he admitted guilt to bank fraud and submitting a false tax return.
Gambling Addiction and Reckless Decisions
In a span of nearly three years, Mizuhara made over 19,000 bets through the operation of bookmaker Matt Bowyer, ranging from modest wagers to astronomical sums of $160,000. His betting activity resulted in towering losses approaching $182.9 million, albeit tempered by winnings of approximately $142.3 million.
In court, U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb sentenced Mizuhara to a term that falls on the lenient end of federal guidelines. During this period, Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani numerous times to transfer significant amounts from the player’s bank account to cover gambling debts. After a thorough investigation, Major League Baseball cleared Ohtani, affirming he was a victim rather than an accomplice.
During sentencing, Mizuhara expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the profound betrayal of Ohtani’s trust. Prosecutors underscored that, despite taking millions from Ohtani’s finances, Mizuhara never repaid any winnings to his employer’s account.
Connections and Consequences
Funds misappropriated by Mizuhara made their way to an associate of Bowyer, who subsequently funneled money to various casinos in Las Vegas and Southern California. Mizuhara’s legal counsel, Michael Freedman, has refrained from commenting further on the case while requesting a new surrender date.
In other developments in the gambling industry, shortly after Mizuhara’s files were unsealed, the Nevada Gaming Commission sanctioned Resorts World Las Vegas with a significant $10.5 million fine over alleged violations related to anti-money laundering practices. This case is integral to ongoing discussions about gambling oversight and regulation as industry insiders congregate at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention in San Diego.
Future Uncertain
While California hosts several federal prison facilities, the exact destination of Mizuhara remains uncertain. Freedman has sought for Mizuhara to serve his sentence near Southern California, and there’s a potential for him to face deportation to Japan upon release.
In a stark contrast to Mizuhara’s legal woes, Ohtani continues to shine in Major League Baseball, having signed a remarkable 10-year contract worth $700 million with the Dodgers. In 2024, he was ranked 13th on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes worldwide, a testament to his exceptional talent and marketability.
Remarkably, Mizuhara and Ohtani first crossed paths in 2013 when Ohtani made his professional debut for the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. Now, as Mizuhara prepares to enter a federal correctional facility, the repercussions of his actions cast a long shadow over a once-promising career.