Federal authorities have classified Shohei Ohtani as a victim in a case involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, accused of stealing $16 million from the baseball star to cover gambling debts. An affidavit reveals that on the day news broke, Mizuhara texted a bookmaker, stating, "Technically I did steal from him. It’s all over for me." Mizuhara is reportedly negotiating a plea deal as the investigation unfolds.
Ohtani is referred to as "Victim A" in the affidavit, and U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada affirmed during a press conference that Ohtani is viewed as a victim in this case. Major League Baseball released a statement indicating it would wait for the outcome of the criminal proceedings before considering further investigation.
Since the March 20th revelation, Ohtani, widely recognized as a two-way Japanese baseball star who signed the highest contract in baseball history during the off-season, has said he was deceived. Documentation from the investigation supports his claim of victimization.
Mizuhara, who managed Ohtani and handled his daily affairs, is scheduled for a court appearance on April 12. His attorney has not commented on the matter. The gambling issue ties into a larger illegal bookmaking operation linked to former minor league player Wayne Nix, currently under federal investigation. Although Nix's name does not appear in the affidavit, details suggest involvement of Mathew Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker based in Orange County who reportedly accepted Mizuhara’s bets.
The affidavit, compiled by an IRS investigator, highlights how Mizuhara altered Ohtani’s account information to include his own contact details. Additionally, Mizuhara falsely represented himself to bank officials and misinformed Ohtani’s financial advisors about access to the baseball player’s accounts.
Mizuhara had opened the bank account for Ohtani in 2018, where the player’s salary from the Los Angeles Angels was deposited. He allegedly siphoned funds from this account for his gambling habits while diverting his winnings into his own account.
Mizuhara's gambling reportedly spiraled out of control after he began betting in September 2021, accumulating significant debt without wagering on baseball games. By November 2021, he faced challenges meeting financial obligations, labeling the situation as "super stressing" in text exchanges. Despite his financial struggles, the bookmaker continued to extend credit and provide Mizuhara with free-play offers.
In March 2022, aiming to minimize risk, Mizuhara requested a reduction in his credit limit to $100,000, expressing concerns about potential recklessness with a higher limit.
By November 2023, as stakes intensified, Mizuhara acknowledged his precarious situation in text messages, attributing losses to both cryptocurrency investments and betting. He indicated to the bookmaker that he had "taken a huge hit obviously with the sports too" and inquired about settling his debts. The affidavit details that Mizuhara's average bet size was approximately $12,800, with a betting range between $10 and $160,000, totaling around 19,000 wagers over time. His betting generated $142.3 million in wins, contrasted by $182.9 million in losses, culminating in debts of $40.7 million.
