Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of baseball cards from his ex-interpreter
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steps up to the plate in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies, June 19, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Shohei Ohtani is taking legal action to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of baseball cards that he claims were fraudulently purchased with his money by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani, the star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has filed court documents demanding Mizuhara return the signed collectible cards that Ohtani says were wrongfully obtained and held without permission. The cards, according to the lawsuit, are valued at approximately $325,000.
Mizuhara, who had previously served as Ohtani’s trusted interpreter, was involved in a fraudulent scheme that drained Ohtani’s bank account. The court filing asserts that Mizuhara started accessing Ohtani’s financial records in November 2021. He allegedly altered security protocols on the account so that he could impersonate Ohtani and authorize wire transfers without his consent. Over time, Mizuhara used the funds to purchase the $325,000 worth of baseball cards on online platforms such as eBay and Whatnot.
In addition to the baseball cards, Mizuhara was found to have stolen significant amounts of money for personal use. He had pleaded guilty in June to charges related to bank fraud and tax evasion, admitting to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s Arizona-based bank account. This money was used by Mizuhara to fund his gambling habits, including betting on international soccer, NBA games, NFL matches, and college football, as well as to pay for his own medical bills. Notably, prosecutors clarified that Mizuhara never bet on baseball games, including those involving Ohtani or his teams.
Mizuhara’s actions have left a trail of legal consequences. In addition to the financial restitution owed to Ohtani, which could total nearly $17 million, Mizuhara is also facing the possibility of a lengthy federal prison sentence. He is scheduled for sentencing in January, where he could receive more than 30 years in prison for his crimes, which include one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Mizuhara may also be required to pay more than $1 million in restitution to the IRS for his fraudulent tax activities.
Further complicating his situation, Mizuhara, who is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. with a green card, faces the risk of deportation back to Japan following his conviction. This adds a layer of uncertainty to an already devastating legal outcome.
Despite his crimes, Mizuhara had played a significant role in Ohtani’s career. He was with the Japanese baseball sensation during key moments, including Ohtani’s two American League MVP wins, his participation in the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and his historic $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mizuhara was not only Ohtani’s interpreter but also a close friend and confidant, even accompanying him off the field.
However, Mizuhara’s financial troubles and gambling addiction eventually led to the breakdown of their professional relationship. Reports indicate that Mizuhara gambled away tens of millions of dollars of Ohtani’s money, further straining the trust that had been built between them. At one point, Mizuhara even resigned from his position with the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout in order to continue communicating with Ohtani, only to be rehired after a new deal was reached. Despite this, Mizuhara’s actions behind the scenes severely impacted both his financial future and his relationship with Ohtani.
The fallout from Mizuhara’s fraudulent activities has not only caused financial harm to Ohtani but also emotional damage, as the two had shared a close bond over the years. Ohtani’s legal filing now seeks to recover the stolen assets and hold Mizuhara accountable for the extensive betrayal.
Earlier this year, Ohtani and the Dodgers achieved a major milestone by winning the World Series, and Ohtani earned his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, solidifying his status as one of the most prominent figures in Major League Baseball. Yet, despite his continued success on the field, the legal battle over his stolen funds remains a painful reminder of the breach of trust that occurred off the field. As Mizuhara’s sentencing approaches, both Ohtani and the legal system will likely seek justice for the financial and personal damages caused by his actions.
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