Shohei Ohtani’s ex-translator accused of stealing over $16 million from slugger

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE FORMER TRANSLATOR FOR LA DODGER’S SUPERSTAR SHOHEI OHTANI IS FACING FEDERAL BANK FRAUD CHARGES.

HE’S ACCUSED OF STEALING MORE THAN $16 MILLION FROM OHTANI’S BANK ACCOUNT.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, IPPEI MIZUHARA IS WORKING OUT A DEAL TO PLEAD GUILTY TO THE CHARGES.

U-S ATTORNEY MARTIN ESTRADA SAID MIZUHARA HELPED OHTANI SET UP A BANK ACCOUNT AND THEN TURNED OFF ALERTS ABOUT TRANSACTIONS.

HE REPORTEDLY USED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PAY OFF HIS OWN SPORTS BETTING. 

ESTRADA SAID MIZUHARA ACTED AS OHTANI’S “DE FACTO MANAGER,” USING AND ABUSING THE TRUST OHTANI PUT IN HIM.

[MARTIN ESTRADA]

MR MIZUHARA DID ALL OF THIS TO FEED HIS INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR ILLEGAL SPORTS BETTING.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

PROSECUTORS SAY HE EVENTUALLY ADMITTED TO THE CRIME AFTER FIRST SAYING OHTANI HAD GIVEN HIM THE MONEY TO PAY OFF BETS.

OHTANI HAS DENIED EVER BETTING ON SPORTS AND IS NOT IMPLICATED IN ANY OF THE CHARGES.

HE TOLD THE MEDIA HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF MIZUHARA’S ALLEGED ACTIONS UNTIL THE DODGERS SEASON OPENER IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA.

OHTANI SAID, “I’M VERY SAD AND SHOCKED THAT SOMEONE WHO I’VE TRUSTED HAS DONE THIS.”

IF MIZUHARA IS CONVICTED OF THE CHARGES, HE FACES UP TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON.

IN DECEMBER, OHTANI BECAME THE HIGHEST PAID BASEBALL PLAYER IN HISTORY– AFTER SIGNING A 10-YEAR- 700 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT WITH THE DODGERS.