Federal prosecutors on Thursday filed a detailed report alleging that Ippei Mizuhara, a former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, orchestrated a massive scheme over the years to steal $16 million of Ohtani's money to feed his gambling addiction. announced the complaint.
According to authorities, the money that Mizuhara received from Otani was withdrawn directly from the account where Otani's annual baseball salary was paid. There is no evidence that the suspect Mizuhara bet on baseball.
“There is no indication that Mr. Ohtani authorized the transfer of $16 million from his account to a bookmaker,” said E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
Authorities charged Mizuhara with bank fraud.
“Mr. Mizuhara committed a massive fraud,” Estrada said.
The announcement of the indictment comes after the New York Times reports that Mizuhara's lawyers and federal prosecutors are negotiating a plea deal, that Otani has been interviewed by authorities, and that prosecutors say Mizuhara originally stole $4.5 million. This took place the day after it was reported that the above evidence had been discovered. He was accused of stealing.
Mizuhara is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday in federal court in Los Angeles. He is expected to enter a not guilty plea, which will be formalized as federal prosecutors and his lawyer Michael Friedman continue to negotiate.
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