SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) 鈥� The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud on Tuesday and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off sports betting debts.
鈥檚 crimes stunned the baseball world, shattering his image as Ohtani鈥檚 shadow at ballparks around the U.S. He entered his guilty plea Tuesday in federal court in Santa Ana, California.
his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to for years, at times impersonating Ohtani to bankers. Mizuhara signed a plea agreement that detailed the allegations on May 5, and prosecutors announced it several days later.
Mizuhara鈥檚 attorney declined to comment outside the courthouse. Mizuhara spoke briefly in court acknowledging his guilt. 鈥淚 worked for victim A and had access to his bank account and had fallen into major gambling debt,鈥� he told the court. 鈥淚 went ahead and wired money 鈥� with his bank account.鈥�
Federal prosecutors declined to comment outside the courthouse.
Tuesday's court hearing lasted approximately 45 minutes.
Mizuhara鈥檚 winning bets totaled over $142 million, which he deposited in his own bank account and not Ohtani鈥檚. But his losing bets were around $183 million, a net loss of nearly $41 million. He did not wager on baseball.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, and the false tax return charge carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 25.
He also is required to pay Ohtani restitution that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. Those amounts, however, could change prior to sentencing.
Mizuhara鈥檚 plea deal was negotiated with prosecutors before he was even arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles in mid-May. He was initially charged with one count of bank fraud.
There was or aware of Mizuhara鈥檚 gambling, and the player , authorities said.
and broke the news of the prosecution in late March, prompting the Dodgers to fire the interpreter and .
MLB rules from wagering on baseball, even legally. MLB also bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.
Ohtani has sought to focus on the field as the case winds through the courts. Hours after his ex-interpreter first appeared in court in April, he hit his , tying Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japan-born player, during the Dodgers鈥� 8-7 loss to the San Diego Padres in 11 innings.
Mizuhara鈥檚 hearing came hours after MLB banned San Diego Padres infielder from baseball for life in the wake of another gambling scandal. MLB said Marcano placed 387 baseball bets totaling more than $150,000 in October 2022 and from last July through November with a legal sportsbook. He became the first active player in a century banned for life because of gambling. Four others were suspended Tuesday.
Stefanie Dazio And Amy Taxin, The Associated Press
