Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, has reported to federal prison to begin a 57-month sentence for embezzling $17 million from the player.
Prosecutors said Mizuhara used Ohtani’s bank account to cover massive gambling debts tied to an illegal sportsbook. He placed more than 19,000 bets totaling $325 million in volume and impersonated Ohtani to authorize wire transfers.
The scandal erupted in March, casting a shadow over Major League Baseball and raising questions about gambling’s growing influence on the sport. Investigators later confirmed Ohtani had no role in the scheme and was a victim of fraud.
Mizuhara is serving his term in a minimum-security federal facility. After release, he could face deportation to Japan, depending on immigration proceedings.
The case has fueled debate within MLB and other U.S. sports leagues about the risks associated with legalized sports betting. Officials have stressed the need for stricter safeguards to protect athletes and the integrity of the game.
Ohtani, a two-way sensation and one of baseball’s highest-profile stars, has declined to speak at length about the matter. Through statements, he has expressed relief that the investigation cleared him of wrongdoing but acknowledged the personal betrayal.
For Mizuhara, once a constant presence alongside Ohtani on and off the field, the prison sentence marks a sharp fall from grace. For MLB, the scandal underscores the challenges of balancing the booming sports betting industry with efforts to maintain public trust.
