Ippei Mizuhara accepts plea deal in Shohei Ohtani fraud case
Dec 14, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Ippei Mizuhara, the translator for Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has accepted a plea deal in the case involving bank fraud and tax fraud.
Mizuhara, who was alleged to have stolen millions of dollars from Ohtani in order to pay off illegal gambling debts, will plead guilty to charges of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return. The deal likely means Mizuhara will face a much more limited prison sentence than he could have otherwise.
Ippei Mizuhara is pleading guilty to two counts: bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return.
The plea deal puts his highest offense level at 29, which for someone with no criminal history carries 87 to 108 months in federal prison. pic.twitter.com/SaKTEU9HQf
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) May 8, 2024
Typically, Mizuhara would face between 87 and 108 months in federal prison. Meghann Cuniff of the Washington Post noted that prosecutors did not make a sentencing recommendation, which could lead to an even lighter sentence depending on a judge’s decision.
It’s notable that prosecutors do not specify what their sentencing recommendation will be.
They could recommend a departure from the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines that puts Mizuhara’s prison time below the 87-108 month range.
Ultimately, the sentence is up to the judge
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) May 8, 2024
Mizuhara went to great lengths to access Ohtani’s money and steal it without Ohtani’s knowledge. The former interpreter made a fairly damning admission in text messages obtained by prosecutors, and was probably very happy to cooperate and take a plea deal in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
