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☆ Shohei Ohtani’s former translator to plead guilty to transferring $17 million from MLB star’s bank account
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( David K. Li | Madeline Morrison | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Shohei Ohtani answers questions and Ippei Mizuhara translates during the Shohei Ohtani-Los Angeles Dodgers press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Dec. 14, 2023. The former translator of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to illegally transferring $17 million out of the baseball phenom's account without his knowledge, authorities said Wednesday. Ippei Mizuhara, 39, will plead guilty to single counts of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return, according to federal prosecutors in Southern California. "Unable to pay his gambling debts, Mizuhara orchestrated a scheme to deceive and cheat the bank to fraudulently obtain money from" Ohtani's account, according to a statement by prosecutors. Mizuhara used Ohtani's password to get to the player's bank account, without the player's knowledge or permission, prosecutors said.

Persons: Shohei, Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, Martin Estrada, Mizuhara, —, Ohtani Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger, Los Angeles Angels Locations: Los Angeles, Southern California

☆ 34 people were killed in a scuba dive boat fire in California. The captain is now facing ten years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Lauren Mascarenhas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A former dive boat captain could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison Thursday on a negligence conviction known as “seaman’s manslaughter” after 34 people were killed in a fire that broke out on his boat in 2019. Jerry Nehl Boylan was found guilty in 2023 of one federal felony count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer last year. Thirty-three passengers and one crew member below deck died of smoke inhalation, police said. Thirty-four people were killed in the boat fire. In 2019, an attorney for the boat’s owner, Truth Aquatics, said that a crew member had checked the area where the fire was believed to have been concentrated before it ignited.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Jerry Nehl Boylan, Boylan, Brian van der, Robert Sumwalt, Prosecutors, Martin Estrada, ’ Organizations: CNN, Labor, California’s, Islands, Los Angeles Times, National Transportation Safety, Truth, NTSB Locations: Santa Cruz

☆ Ippei Mizuhara: Shohei Ohtani’s ex-translator expected to turn himself in after allegedly stealing $16 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Holly Yan | Cindy Von Quednow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ippei Mizuhara faces a federal charge of bank fraud after making unauthorized transfers from Ohtani’s bank account from November 2021 until January 2024, US Attorney Martin Estrada said Thursday. “We expect that the court will order Mr. Mizuhara released on bond,” Mrozek said in a written statement. Ippei Mizuhara, left, the then-interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, leave a news conference on March 16. But “over time, Mr. Mizuhara’s bets became more and more frequent. Major League Baseball issued a statement Thursday in response to news about Mizuhara’s federal charge.

Persons: Ohtani, Ippei, Martin Estrada, Mizuhara, Thom Mrozek, ” Mrozek, “, ”, Ohtani –, ” Estrada, –, Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, Lee Jin, Estrada, Mizuhara’s, Mr, “ Mr, “ Ohtani, CNN’s Nick Watt Organizations: CNN, US, Office, Central, Central District of, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, MLB, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Major League Baseball Locations: Central District, Central District of California, Los Angeles, Japan, United States, South Korea

☆ Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter surrenders to authorities on bank fraud charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Diana Dasrath | Antonio Planas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mizuhara is charged with bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Mizuhara committed "massive fraud" against Ohtani to satisfy an "insatiable appetite for illegal sports gambling," Estrada said. Mizuhara, who did not bet on baseball, is "linked to an illegal gambling operation," Estrada said. The transfers from the bank account were made from devices and IP addresses associated with Mizuhara, federal prosecutors said in a statement. During this time, the contact information on Ohtani's bank account allegedly was changed to connect the account to Mizuhara's phone number and to an anonymous email address linked to Mizuhara, prosecutors said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Martin Estrada, Ohtani, Estrada, Mizuhara's Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Dodger, Major League Baseball, Central, Central District of, Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels, NBC News Locations: Los Angeles, Newport Beach , California, U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Anaheim, Southern California

☆ Former Ohtani interpreter Mizuhara faces federal charge after allegedly stealing $16 million from the baseball superstar
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Los Angeles CNN —Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, faces a federal charge of bank fraud after allegedly stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani, a US attorney in Los Angeles announced Thursday. US Attorney Martin Estrada said Mizuhara made unauthorized transfers from Ohtani’s bank account from November 2021 until January 2024. Estrada said Ohtani is “considered a victim in this case,” and there’s no evidence suggesting Ohtani was actively involved. “Our investigation has revealed that due to the position of trust he occupied with Mr. Ohtani, Mr. Mizuhara had unique access to Mr. Ohtani’s finances,” Estrada said. Mizuhara was fired last month after Ohtani’s lawyers accused him of stealing from Ohtani and placing bets with a bookmaker who is under federal investigation.

Persons: Los Angeles CNN — Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, Martin Estrada, Mizuhara, Ohtani –, Estrada, Ohtani, ” Estrada, “ Mr, ”, “, “ Ohtani, Joe Sutton Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Mr, New York Times, Dodgers, MLB, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s Locations: Ohtani, Los Angeles, South Korea

☆ Ohtani translator accused of stealing $16 million from Dodgers star
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Shohei Ohtani answers questions and Ippei Mizuhara translates during the Shohei Ohtani-Los Angeles Dodgers press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Dec. 14, 2023. Shohei Ohtani's former translator Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole more than $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover millions of dollars of gambling debts, the U.S. attorney's office announced Thursday. Over that time, the attorney's office discovered that Mizuhara had full access to Ohtani's bank accounts. Phone records indicate he accessed them online and lied to the bank pretending to be Ohtani, the office said. Attorneys for Ohtani, Mizuhara and the Dodgers declined to give immediate comment on the charges.

Persons: Shohei, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Martin Estrada, Estrada, I've Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger, Ohtani, Dodgers, DOJ, D.C, MLB, Los Angeles Angels, American League, Major League Locations: Los Angeles, U.S, Ohtani, Ohtani's, Southern California, Las Vegas, Washington, California

☆ Prosecutors Say Ohtani’s Interpreter Stole $16 Million From Star
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Tim Arango | Michael S. Schmidt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal prosecutors released a detailed complaint on Thursday that claimed Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, orchestrated a sprawling scheme over years to steal $16 million of the baseball star’s money to feed his gambling addiction. The money that Mizuhara took from Ohtani came directly from an account where Ohtani’s baseball salary was paid, the authorities said. “There’s no indication Mr. Ohtani authorized the $16 million from his account to the bookmakers,” said E. Martin Estrada, the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. The authorities charged Mizuhara with bank fraud, for which the maximum penalty is 30 years in prison. The complaint contains a message sent by Mizuhara in which he admits to a bookmaker that he stole the money from Ohtani.

Persons: Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara, Ohtani, “, ”, Martin Estrada Organizations: Central, Central District of, Mizuhara Locations: U.S, Central District, Central District of California, Ohtani

☆ A man accused of stealing missile-tracking secrets had applied to 'talent programs' run by the Chinese government, DOJ says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A man in California was charged with stealing trade secrets from a defense contractor. The Justice Department said the secrets involved information on missile-tracking technology. The man had previously applied to serve the Chinese government, prosecutors said. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Gong, a native of China, is a resident of San Jose and has been a US citizen since 2011, the DOJ said.

Persons: —, Chenguang Gong, Gong, Martin Estrada, Breon Organizations: Justice Department, Service, DOJ, US Department of Defense, Central, Central District of, FBI, Eastern, of, Department of Justice Locations: California, China, San Jose, Malibu , California, Central District, Central District of California, People's Republic of China, Iran, of New York, of Iran

☆ U.S. engineer contacted China before stealing missile tracking tech, DOJ says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A deactivated Titan II nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, is seen in a silo at the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Arizona, May 12, 2015. The DOJ said the technology allegedly stolen by 57-year-old Chenguang Gong would be "dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors." Gong, who lives in San Jose, California, is a native of China who became an American citizen in 2011, prosecutors said. Los Angeles U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Gong previously sought to provide the People's Republic of China with information that would help the nation's military. The Chinese Talent Program Tracker is known to identify individuals located outside China who have skills and knowledge that can help transform the Chinese economy and bolster its military capabilities, the complaint said.

Persons: Gong, Martin Estrada, Estrada Organizations: Titan, Titan Missile, U.S, Department of Justice, DOJ, Los Angeles U.S, Talent Locations: Green Valley , Arizona, Los Angeles, U.S, San Jose , California, China, American, Republic of China

☆ Republicans return to Biden impeachment inquiry following 3-week speaker race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Another unknown factor is how House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan – who spent much of the last three weeks running for speaker – will return to the scene. A source familiar with Johnson’s thinking told CNN, “He believes it’s a fact-finding mission. GOP Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents a Virginia district Biden won in 2020, told CNN, “We have so much work we need to get done including these appropriations bills. I don’t think so,” GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, who represents a competitive district in California, told CNN of the inquiry. House Republicans have not held an impeachment inquiry hearing since their first one on September 28, where expert witnesses brought in by Republicans acknowledged they did not yet have the evidence to prove the accusations leveled against the president.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, James Biden, Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, ”, Jason Smith, Jim Jordan –, –, Jordan, Russell Dye, James Comer, Fox News ’ Sean Hannity, ” Johnson, “, it’s, Comer, Smith, Jeff Van Drew, Jen Kiggans, Biden, Mike Garcia, Ralph Norman, Jim Jordan, Austin Scott of, ” Van Drew, Matt Gaetz, Hunter Biden, Tony Bobulinski, McCarthy, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, ” Buck, Chip Roy, “ we’re, Martin Estrada, David Weiss, holdouts, Ben Cline, Virginia, ” Gaetz Organizations: CNN, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Kentucky Republican, Judiciary, Fox News, New, New Jersey Republican, ” CNN, White, Democratic, California, Department of Justice Locations: Missouri, Kentucky, Jordan, New Jersey, Virginia, California, South Carolina, Austin Scott of Georgia, Florida, Ken Buck of, ”, Texas

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities rescued a 17-year-old boy in Southern California after he was kidnapped and held hostage for four days by captors who threatened to harm him if his family did not pay a $500,000 ransom. The teen was rescued Friday after law enforcement tracked him and his three kidnappers to a motel in Santa Maria, a city about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The men repeatedly called her over the four days and threatening to harm her son if the family did not pay. Law enforcement used a Facebook Marketplace posting and the doorbell camera footage to track the victim and the suspects to Santa Maria. Authorities found the boy lying on the floor in a corner of the motel room.

Persons: Martin Estrada Organizations: — Authorities, Attorney's Locations: SANTA MARIA, Calif, Southern California, Santa Maria, Los Angeles, San Bernardino County, Sant Maria, Nogales , Mexico, New York, U.S

The new testimony comes as House Republicans begin an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and his family, potentially undercutting one element of that effort. At issue is an October 2022 meeting between prosecutors and case agents working on the Hunter Biden investigation. But the deal fell apart amid scrutiny from a judge, and Weiss subsequently requested special counsel status. Shapley, a 14-year IRS veteran who oversaw parts of the Hunter Biden probe, alleged in testimony to Congress there was political interference in the investigation. Last week, CNN and others reported on Sobocinski’s testimony, which prompted Shapley’s attorneys to dispute his recollection of the October 2022 meeting.

Persons: Hunter, David Weiss, Weiss, Gary Shapley, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Shapley, “, Shapley’s, Garland, ” Shapley, Joseph Ziegler, Department's, Hunter Biden Leah Millis, ” Thomas Sobocinski, ”, Darrell Waldon, Ryeshia Holley, “ Mr, Sobocinski, Mark Lytle, Tristan Leavitt, Justice Department “, ” Waldon, Gary, Waldon, ’, Holley, it’s, Michael Batdorf, CNN they’ve, Mark Daly, Jack Morgan, Suchat Pederson, –, Mathew Graves, Martin Estrada, ” Holley, Batdorf Organizations: Washington CNN, FBI, Internal Revenue, CNN, IRS, House Republicans, Republicans, Republican, DOJ, Justice Department, GOP, Congressional, District of Columbia, Central, Central District of, Mr Locations: Delaware, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Washington ,, California, Washington , DC, Wilmington , Delaware, Central District, Central District of California, Batdorf

Wells Fargo Bank branch is seen in New York City, U.S., March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Wells Fargo & Co FollowSept 15 (Reuters) - The former head of Wells Fargo's (WFC.N) retail bank on Friday avoided prison time after pleading guilty to an obstruction charge related to the bank's sweeping fake-accounts scandal. Prosecutors had sought a one-year prison term for Tolstedt, but the judge said it would unfairly make Tolstedt appear solely responsible for Wells Fargo's misconduct. That cap remains in place, though Wells Fargo remains the fourth-largest U.S. bank. Wells Fargo has also clawed back tens of millions of dollars of her pay.

Persons: Wells Fargo's, Carrie Tolstedt, Josephine Staton, Wells, Tolstedt, Martin Estrada, Wells Fargo, John Stumpf, Stumpf, Chris Prentice, Jonathan Stempel, Jaiveer Singh, Shounak Dasgupta, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Wells, U.S, San, Wells, Prosecutors, Federal Reserve, Securities and Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: Wells Fargo Bank, New York City, U.S, Los Angeles, San Francisco, America, Wells, New York, Bengaluru

Ahead of the High Holidays that begin this week, a network of Jewish security experts and religious leaders hosted several webinars to help prepare for the season. Among the topics: How to respond to an “active threat” targeting the Jewish community, and how to stop severe bleeding. Over recent years — in the face of increased antisemitic threats and violence — the season also is a time of heightened vigilance. “The High Holidays are about renewal — about trying to build a better world,” said Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Earlier this month, the Orthodox Union, the largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, announced a partnership with the Community Security Service, a leading Jewish security organization, to encourage more Orthodox congregation members to volunteer for security training.

Persons: ”, Noah Farkas, ” Farkas, Ryan Scott Bradford “, Martin Estrada, Farkas ’, Robert Bowers, ” —, Eric Fingerhut, —, Rosh Hashana, “ It’s, Jeffrey Abrams, Larry Mead, Mead, it's “, “, ” Mead, Mead “, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Rabbi Charlie Cytron, Walker, Tim Torell, ” Torell, ’ We’re, Torell Organizations: Jewish Federation of, Attorney’s, Los Angeles CSI, Reseda . Security, Jewish Federations of North, Secure Community Network, Jewish Federations of, Nationwide, Orthodox Union, Jewish, Community Security Service, Defamation League, Los Angeles, ADL Los Angeles, Los Angeles federation’s Community Security, Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, “, FBI, Jewish Federation of Northern, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Rosh, Yom Kippur, Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Reseda, U.S, Reseda ., Pittsburgh, Jewish Federations of North America, Canada, Southern California, Angeles, California, Texas, New Jersey, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey

☆ Two US Navy sailors arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Two US Navy sailors have been indicted and arrested for allegedly sending sensitive US military information to Chinese intelligence officers. The other sailor who has been arrested, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, worked at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme in California. In return, Wei allegedly received thousands of dollars. The indictment indicates that Wei received US citizenship during this period, with the Chinese intelligence officer allegedly congratulating Wei on receiving citizenship on May 18, 2022. Much of the information Wei allegedly sent to the Chinese officer was stored on restricted-access Navy computer systems that Wei was able to access because he had a security clearance.

Persons: Jinchao Wei, Wenheng Zhao, Wei, Zhao, “, ” Matt Olson, Zhao “, ” Martin Estrada, ”, Jack Teixeira, Randy Grossman, Brig, Patrick Ryder, ” Ryder Organizations: CNN, US Navy, Naval Base San, Southern, Southern District of, Navy, Naval Base, People’s, Prosecutors, Central, Central District of, Massachusetts Air National Guard, US Locations: Naval Base San Diego, Southern District, Southern District of California, Pacific, Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California, People’s Republic, Essex, Okinawa, Japan, Central District, Central District of California, China, United States

☆ U.S. seizes website selling malware that stole computer data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Zeba Siddiqui | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9 (Reuters) - U.S. authorities said on Thursday they seized an internet domain that was selling malicious software criminals used to steal data from and take control of victims' computers. The site sold NetWire, a type of malware called a 'remote access trojan' (RAT), which is "a sophisticated program capable of targeting and infecting every major computer operating system," the statement said. It allows covert surveillance, creating a "'backdoor' for administrative control and unfettered and unauthorized remote access to a victim’s computer, without the victim’s knowledge or permission," according to court records filed in Los Angeles the statement cited. It was unclear how many times the malware had been bought off the seized website. The seizure comes as U.S. authorities work on improving collaborations with other countries on investigating cybercrimes, which are often cross-border.

Chicago prosecutors alleged that Girardi misappropriated more than $3 million in client funds owed to families of the victims of the 2018 Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. Christopher Kamon, the former chief financial officer of Girardi's now-defunct law firm Girardi Keese, was also charged in the Chicago and Los Angeles cases. Girardi's son-in-law, David Lira, who worked at the firm, was charged with wire fraud and criminal contempt of court by the Chicago prosecutors. The California Supreme Court disbarred Girardi in June in connection with his alleged conduct in the Lion Air case. Kamon was separately charged with wire fraud in November for allegedly embezzling $10 million from the defunct Girardi Keese firm.

☆ Trump foe Michael Avenatti sentenced to 14 years in prison for stealing millions from clients
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Lawyer Michael Avenatti speaks to the media after he walks out of federal court in New York, New York, U.S., March 25, 2019. The judge also ordered Avenatti to pay more than $10.8 million in restitution to four clients and to the Internal Revenue Service. Michael Avenatti, the brash lawyer who gained notoriety for legal actions involving former President Donald Trump , was sentenced Monday in California to 14 years in prison for stealing about $7.6 million from clients, as well as for tax fraud. For months in 2018, Avenatti was a ubiquitous presence on television news shows, where he delighted in verbally skewering the president and Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen. "He stole millions of dollars from his clients – all to finance his extravagant lifestyle that included a private jet and race cars," the top prosecutor said.

The sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge James Selna in Santa Ana, California is in addition to the five years in prison that Avenatti, 51, was already serving for two unrelated convictions in Manhattan federal court. Selna also ordered Avenatti to pay $10.8 million in restitution to the clients and the Internal Revenue Service. "Michael Avenatti was a corrupt lawyer who claimed he was fighting for the little guy. Prosecutors had sought a 17-1/2 year prison term, on top of the existing five years, after Avenatti pleaded guilty in June to five charges of wire fraud and obstruction. When trying to help Daniels break a confidentiality agreement over her alleged affair with Trump, Avenatti became a fixture on cable TV news, attacking Trump and flirting with his own presidential run.

Ramon Abbas, known to his millions of Instagram followers as Ray Hushpuppi, pleaded guilty in April last year to conspiracy to engage in money laundering. On social media, where Abbas had posted videos of himself tossing wads of cash like confetti, he referred to himself as a real estate developer. His social media account was a treasure trove of information for investigatorsFederal investigators have described Abbas as a prolific money launderer who leveraged his social media platform to gain notoriety and brag about his wealth. In a 2020 affidavit, federal officials detailed how his social media accounts provided details needed to confirm his identity. Even Abbas’ Instagram birthday party photos helped the investigation.

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