Shohei Ohtani, the superstar Los Angeles Dodgers player, is demanding that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, return hundreds of thousands of dollars in baseball cards he alleges were fraudulently purchased with his stolen money.
Court documents filed Tuesday reveal that Mizuhara, who was once a trusted confidant and friend of the Japanese sensation, misappropriated funds from Ohtani’s bank account to make the purchases, totaling about $325,000.
The filing claims Mizuhara gained unauthorized access to Ohtani’s bank account around November 2021, altering security protocols to impersonate the athlete and authorize wire transfers.
By 2024, Mizuhara had used the funds to buy rare baseball cards, including signed collectibles featuring Ohtani himself, through online marketplaces like eBay and Whatnot.
Shohei Ohtani is now requesting that Mizuhara return these items, which were allegedly in his “unauthorized and wrongful possession.”
This legal action comes after Mizuhara, 32, pleaded guilty in June to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani, using the money to cover his escalating gambling debts, medical expenses, and card purchases.
Mizuhara was involved in high-stakes international betting on soccer, NBA, NFL, and college football games—though prosecutors have made it clear he never bet on baseball.
Mizuhara, who had stood by Ohtani’s side during important moments like the 2021 Home Run Derby and his two MVP wins, now faces severe legal consequences.
In addition to the fraud charges, he could face up to 30 years in federal prison and be ordered to pay restitution—nearly $17 million to Ohtani and over $1 million to the IRS.
As a legal permanent resident with a green card, Shohei Ohtani may also face deportation to Japan.
Despite his legal troubles, Mizuhara’s role in Ohtani’s career remains notable, having played a part in many of the player’s historic achievements, including his record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.
However, the once-close relationship has now been shattered by Mizuhara’s criminal actions, leading Ohtani to seek justice and the return of his stolen memorabilia.
Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced in January for one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.
