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:
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Locations:
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