The U.S. government is taking swift action in the case involving Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. Despite the close relationship Mizuhara once shared with Ohtani, his recent actions have led to legal repercussions as federal prosecutors aim to confiscate a valuable collection of baseball cards he purchased using embezzled funds.
In a legal filing presented to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, prosecutors are seeking permission to seize Mizuhara’s assortment of baseball cards, along with associated packaging materials and protective equipment for the cards. Mizuhara, who has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $17 million from Ohtani, is slated for sentencing later in October.
The timeline of events reveals Mizuhara’s extravagant spending spree between January and March of 2024, where he splurged over $325,000 of Ohtani’s money on baseball cards acquired from online platforms like eBay and Whatnot. His collection boasts cards featuring renowned players such as Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and even Ohtani himself, as outlined in Mizuhara’s plea agreement.
As part of the plea deal, prosecutors are aiming to have Mizuhara hand over these items to serve as part of his punishment. Mizuhara, who has also agreed to relinquish other sports memorabilia bought using Ohtani’s funds, entered into the plea agreement earlier this year and formally pleaded guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud in June.
The unfortunate turn of events marks a stark contrast to Mizuhara’s previous role as a reliable confidant, interpreter, and unofficial manager for Ohtani since the Japanese athlete’s arrival at the Angels in 2018. Despite the long-standing bond they shared, Mizuhara’s embezzlement activities unfolded over multiple years as he diverted millions from Ohtani’s accounts to fulfill personal obligations like paying off gambling debts and indulging in high-end baseball collectibles.
The resolution of this legal ordeal is anticipated to occur during Mizuhara’s sentencing on October 25, where the court will address the forfeiture request alongside his sentencing considerations. This case, identified as United States v. Mizuhara, C.D. Cal., No. 8:24-cr-00054-JWH, has garnered significant attention for shedding light on the consequences of financial misconduct, even within seemingly close-knit relationships.
