Ex-Interpreter Caught on Recording Impersonating Shohei Ohtani to Transfer $200,000, Prosecutors Say
Audio Evidence Reveals Ex-Interpreter Posing as Ohtani in $200,000 Bank Transfer, Prosecutors Claim
Federal prosecutors revealed Thursday that a nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captures Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, impersonating the baseball star while attempting to transfer $200,000 for what he claimed was a car loan.
The recording, referenced in a court filing and obtained by The Associated Press, is being used as key evidence as prosecutors seek a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star.
In addition to the prison term, prosecutors are pushing for Mizuhara to pay full restitution to Ohtani and a $1 million penalty to the IRS.
Mizuhara, who is set to be sentenced on Feb. 6, had pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. His attorney, Michael G. Freedman, did not respond to requests for comment.
Audio Evidence of Fraud
In the recording, a man—allegedly Mizuhara—can be heard identifying himself as Ohtani while speaking with a bank representative. He claims to be having trouble logging into online banking and confirms the transaction amount of $200,000.
When asked the purpose of the transfer, he states it is for a car loan.
“What is your relationship to the payee?” the bank employee asks.
“He’s my friend,” the man responds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell said the recording was obtained from the bank, though it is unclear when it was made.
Toward the end of the call, the bank representative asks, “Will there be any future wires to your friend?”
“Possibly,” the man replies.
The recording was first obtained by The Athletic.
A Trail of Fraud and Betrayal
According to the legal filing, Mizuhara began accessing Ohtani’s bank account around November 2021, altering security protocols to impersonate the player and authorize wire transfers. By 2024, he had allegedly used some of the stolen funds to purchase approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online resellers like eBay and Whatnot.
Mizuhara admitted to using millions from Ohtani’s account to cover his gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as medical bills and personal expenses.
Once a trusted figure in Ohtani’s inner circle, Mizuhara was present for the Japanese star’s biggest career moments—including catching for him during the 2021 Home Run Derby and being by his side for two American League MVP wins. He also played a role in Ohtani’s record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.
Mizuhara’s personal and professional relationship with Ohtani came crashing down when his gambling addiction led him to misappropriate vast sums of money. Prosecutors confirmed he had bet tens of millions on international soccer, NBA, NFL, and college football games—but never on baseball.