Dodgers P/DH Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole "more than" $16M "over two years from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts to an illegal sportsbook," according to an affidavit filed by federal authorities today. Federal authorities are accusing Mizuhara of bank fraud, which can carry a maximum fine of up to $1M and/or up to 30 years in prison, according to federal sentencing guidelines. Ohtani, referred to in the complaint only as a "professional baseball player," told authorities that he "did not authorize the transfers." Bank records show that the "phone number and email address on the account were changed to those associated with Mizuhara." Investigators also "relied on recorded phone calls from the bank in which Mizuhara falsely identified himself as Ohtani" to "trick and deceive bank employees into authorizing the transfers" (ESPN.com, 4/11).
Feds allege Mizuhara stole over $16M from Ohtani
