![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaOhtani interpreter charged with stealing over $16m from baseball starPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ippei Mizuhara had been a constant companion of Shohei Ohtani since the baseball star began his stint in the USBy Max MatzaBBC NewsUS officials have charged baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani’s long-time interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, with stealing millions from the sports star.The lead prosecutor in California accused Mr Mizhuara of impersonating Mr Ohtani to banks and to place wagers. “Mr Ohtani is considered a victim in this case,” US Attorney Martin Estrada told reporters at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. Mr Mizuhara, 39, was fired last month as news of the alleged theft emerged. Prosecutors claim that the interpreter used Mr Ohtani’s money to place bets and deposited his winnings into an account that he controlled. Between November 2021 and January 2024, officials said he wired more than $16m (£13m) in unauthorised transfers from Mr Ohtani’s account. “Mr Mizuhara did all this to feed his insatiable appetite for illegal sports gambling,” Mr Estrada said.The charging document alleges that Mr Mizuhara, who acted as Mr Ohtani’s de facto manager, took advantage of the fact that the Japanese sports star does not speak English.It said he called bank officials and “falsely identified himself as [Mr] Ohtani to trick employees into authorizing wire transfers from [Mr] Ohtani’s bank account to associates of the illegal gambling operation”.From January to March 2024, Mr Mizuhara also allegedly purchased $325,000 in baseball cards using money taken from Mr Ohtani’s account.An LA-based defence lawyer representing Mr Mizuhara declined to comment on the charges on Thursday.Last week, Mr Ohtani sat for an interview with prosecutors and denied that he allowed the interpreter access to his finances.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Ohtani says he’s ‘sad and shocked’ after theft claims surrounding interpreter”[Mr] Ohtani provided his cellphone to law enforcement, who determined that there was no evidence to suggest that [Mr] Ohtani was aware of, or involved in, [Mr] Mizuhara’s illegal gambling activity or payment of those debts,” according to the prosecutor’s statement.The criminal charge of bank fraud carries a sentence of 30 years in federal prison. The New York Times reports he is negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. Sports betting is legal in 38 states in America but it remains illegal in California.Major League Baseball has its own policy that bans “any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee” from betting on baseball games and placing bets with illegal bookmakers.Mr Estrada on Thursday told reporters that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr Mizuhara placed any bets on baseball games. Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers before this season, becoming the face of the sports franchise. He had just won his second unanimous American League MVP award.His stint in the US started in 2018, and Mr Mizuhara had been a constant companion. He and his wife were recently seen in a picture that revealed Mr Ohtani’s wife, Mamiko Tanaka, after weeks of speculation.Last month, Mr Ohtani told reporters at an LA Dodgers news conference: “I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this.”Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies,” he said, speaking with the help of a different interpreter.Related TopicsInternational BusinessSports bettingJapanUnited StatesMore on this storyShohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by LA DodgersPublished21 MarchOhtani ‘shocked’ after theft claims surrounding interpreter. Video, 00:01:15Ohtani ‘shocked’ after theft claims surrounding interpreterPublished25 March1:15How $700m ‘Shotime’ became Japan’s biggest baseball exportPublished10 December 2023Japanese baseball star unveils new wife’s identityPublished15 MarchFan frenzy as Shohei Ohtani makes Dodgers debutPublished20 MarchTop StoriesOJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76Published9 minutes agoPostmistress jailed while pregnant rejects ex-Post Office boss’ apologyPublished5 hours agoKey power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikesPublished1 hour agoFeaturesObituary: The spectacular fall of NFL star OJ SimpsonListen: Americast – The life and death of OJ SimpsonAttributionSoundsBowen: Israel denies famine looms in Gaza, but evidence is overwhelmingHow gang violence gripped a tourist havenNazanin: ‘Freedom is sweet… but it’s not easy’What is the minimum salary UK visa applicants need?UK weather: Is it turning warmer?AttributionWeatherWas South Korea’s president thwarted by a spring onion?Listen: How will Labour plug the gap in NHS funding?AttributionSoundsElsewhere on the BBCShould you be worried about getting enough protein?Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber unpick this macronutrient to find out what it does in our bodiesAttributionSounds’I’m not difficult… I just cannot take mediocrity’Explore the meteoric rise to fame and troubled personal life of the comedy pioneer Peter SellersAttributioniPlayer’I was freaking out, I knew I was in trouble’How did Australian Holly Deane-Johns end up in a notorious Thai prison?AttributionSoundsUnearthing the fascinating stories of our ancestorsBritain’s Biggest Dig gives a glimpse into the life of the rich and poor of Georgian LondonAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Man in court over murder of wife as she pushed pram2OJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 763Postmistress jailed while pregnant rejects ex-Post Office boss’ apology4Dazzling artwork found at ancient city of Pompeii5Gang culture at neurosurgery department, doctor alleges6Stormy conditions turn sea pink7Key power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikes8Wife died in ‘out of character’ attack by husband with dementia9Taylor Swift’s music returns to TikTok10Donelan’s libel bills cost taxpayers £34,000](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/1668B/production/_132978719_gettyimages-1848361343.jpg)
newsinsightplus.com
- 000115Ohtani
- 10year
- April 11, 2024
- 0 Comments
BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaOhtani interpreter charged with stealing over $16m from baseball starPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ippei Mizuhara had been a constant companion of Shohei Ohtani since the baseball star began his stint in the USBy Max MatzaBBC NewsUS officials have charged baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani’s long-time interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, with stealing millions from the sports star.The lead prosecutor in California accused Mr Mizhuara of impersonating Mr Ohtani to banks and to place wagers. “Mr Ohtani is considered a victim in this case,” US Attorney Martin Estrada told reporters at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. Mr Mizuhara, 39, was fired last month as news of the alleged theft emerged. Prosecutors claim that the interpreter used Mr Ohtani’s money to place bets and deposited his winnings into an account that he controlled. Between November 2021 and January 2024, officials said he wired more than $16m (£13m) in unauthorised transfers from Mr Ohtani’s account. “Mr Mizuhara did all this to feed his insatiable appetite for illegal sports gambling,” Mr Estrada said.The charging document alleges that Mr Mizuhara, who acted as Mr Ohtani’s de facto manager, took advantage of the fact that the Japanese sports star does not speak English.It said he called bank officials and “falsely identified himself as [Mr] Ohtani to trick employees into authorizing wire transfers from [Mr] Ohtani’s bank account to associates of the illegal gambling operation”.From January to March 2024, Mr Mizuhara also allegedly purchased $325,000 in baseball cards using money taken from Mr Ohtani’s account.An LA-based defence lawyer representing Mr Mizuhara declined to comment on the charges on Thursday.Last week, Mr Ohtani sat for an interview with prosecutors and denied that he allowed the interpreter access to his finances.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Ohtani says he’s ‘sad and shocked’ after theft claims surrounding interpreter”[Mr] Ohtani provided his cellphone to law enforcement, who determined that there was no evidence to suggest that [Mr] Ohtani was aware of, or involved in, [Mr] Mizuhara’s illegal gambling activity or payment of those debts,” according to the prosecutor’s statement.The criminal charge of bank fraud carries a sentence of 30 years in federal prison. The New York Times reports he is negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. Sports betting is legal in 38 states in America but it remains illegal in California.Major League Baseball has its own policy that bans “any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee” from betting on baseball games and placing bets with illegal bookmakers.Mr Estrada on Thursday told reporters that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr Mizuhara placed any bets on baseball games. Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers before this season, becoming the face of the sports franchise. He had just won his second unanimous American League MVP award.His stint in the US started in 2018, and Mr Mizuhara had been a constant companion. He and his wife were recently seen in a picture that revealed Mr Ohtani’s wife, Mamiko Tanaka, after weeks of speculation.Last month, Mr Ohtani told reporters at an LA Dodgers news conference: “I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this.”Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies,” he said, speaking with the help of a different interpreter.Related TopicsInternational BusinessSports bettingJapanUnited StatesMore on this storyShohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired by LA DodgersPublished21 MarchOhtani ‘shocked’ after theft claims surrounding interpreter. Video, 00:01:15Ohtani ‘shocked’ after theft claims surrounding interpreterPublished25 March1:15How $700m ‘Shotime’ became Japan’s biggest baseball exportPublished10 December 2023Japanese baseball star unveils new wife’s identityPublished15 MarchFan frenzy as Shohei Ohtani makes Dodgers debutPublished20 MarchTop StoriesOJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76Published9 minutes agoPostmistress jailed while pregnant rejects ex-Post Office boss’ apologyPublished5 hours agoKey power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikesPublished1 hour agoFeaturesObituary: The spectacular fall of NFL star OJ SimpsonListen: Americast – The life and death of OJ SimpsonAttributionSoundsBowen: Israel denies famine looms in Gaza, but evidence is overwhelmingHow gang violence gripped a tourist havenNazanin: ‘Freedom is sweet… but it’s not easy’What is the minimum salary UK visa applicants need?UK weather: Is it turning warmer?AttributionWeatherWas South Korea’s president thwarted by a spring onion?Listen: How will Labour plug the gap in NHS funding?AttributionSoundsElsewhere on the BBCShould you be worried about getting enough protein?Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber unpick this macronutrient to find out what it does in our bodiesAttributionSounds’I’m not difficult… I just cannot take mediocrity’Explore the meteoric rise to fame and troubled personal life of the comedy pioneer Peter SellersAttributioniPlayer’I was freaking out, I knew I was in trouble’How did Australian Holly Deane-Johns end up in a notorious Thai prison?AttributionSoundsUnearthing the fascinating stories of our ancestorsBritain’s Biggest Dig gives a glimpse into the life of the rich and poor of Georgian LondonAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Man in court over murder of wife as she pushed pram2OJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 763Postmistress jailed while pregnant rejects ex-Post Office boss’ apology4Dazzling artwork found at ancient city of Pompeii5Gang culture at neurosurgery department, doctor alleges6Stormy conditions turn sea pink7Key power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikes8Wife died in ‘out of character’ attack by husband with dementia9Taylor Swift’s music returns to TikTok10Donelan’s libel bills cost taxpayers £34,000
[ad_1] “[Mr] Ohtani provided his cellphone to law enforcement, who determined that there was no evidence to suggest that [Mr] Ohtani was aware of, or involved in, [Mr] Mizuhara’s illegal…
