Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Ippei Mizuhara Sentenced To 57 Months In Prison With Restitution To Shohei Ohtani
Dodgers News

Ippei Mizuhara Sentenced To 57 Months In Prison With Restitution To Shohei Ohtani

Blake Williams
February 6, 2025
4 Min Read
SHARE

As Shohei Ohtani was beginning his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he and former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara became an the center of an illegal sports gambling scandal.

Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers during the Seoul Series for his involvement with gambling and it was later determined he stole roughly $17 million from Ohtani to pay for his gambling debts.

Ohtani was cleared of any wrongdoing by multiple federal agencies and U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Ohtani was considered a victim of theft.

Mizuhara was arrested by federal authorities and pled guilty to bank and tax fraud in early June, but had his sentencing delayed multiple times.

Now, Mizuhara was sentenced to nearly five years in prison and ordered to pay Ohtani back the nearly $17 million he stole, according to Sam Blum of the Athletic:

News: Ippei Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison. Beginning on March 24.

He will have three years of supervised release and is ordered to pay restitution of nearly $17 million to Shohei a Ohtani.

Gov’t got the sentence they requested. Mizuhara asked for 18 months.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) February 6, 2025

The Judge specifically noted Ippei Mizuhara’s pre-sentence letter to the court.

The Judge said Mizuhara misled the court and omitted key facts.

Mizuhara apologized to Ohtani and others in a brief statement before sentencing.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) February 6, 2025

Mizuhara faced a maximum sentence of 33 years and the possibility of deportation because he is not a U.S. citizen. The expectation is Mizuhara will be deported after he serves his time in prison:

Both Mizuhara’s attorney and prosecuting attorneys said they expect Mizuhara to be deported after his sentence.

Mizuhara is a lawful permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) February 6, 2025

In addition to stealing funds from Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts, Mizuhara bought several autographed Ohtani cards from online resale platforms with the intention to resell them himself.

Those cards were given to Ohtani by a court order after they were seized by federal authorities.

Mizuhara had served as Ohtani’s interpreter since the two-time American League MVP Award winner made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.

Facts related to Ippei Mizuhara gambling and bank fraud

The IRS and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with U.S. Attorney Estrada, held a press conference last year to discuss the matter and released their full findings of the investigation.

Mizuhara first began gambling in Sept. 2021 and lost substantial sums of money.

Between November 2021 and January 2024, funds north of $16 million were transferred via wire from a checking account belonging to Ohtani.

Ohtani did not authorize any transfers from the account, which were made from devices and IP addresses associated with Mizuhara.

Recorded phone calls with one of the banks revealed that Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani in several phone calls. Attempting to open up funds to use for his own personal use via wire transfer.

Records reflect total winning bets of $142,256,769.74, and total losing bets of $182,935,206.68, leaving a total net balance of negative $40,678,436.94.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Ippei MizuharaLos Angeles DodgersShohei Ohtani
ByBlake Williams
Follow:
Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Kenta Maeda Placed On 10-Day Injured List With Left Adductor Contusion

May 17, 2019
May 17, 2019
Will Smith
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Will Smith Tied Mike Piazza’s National League Record For Fastest Catcher To 50 Home Runs

April 26, 2022
April 26, 2022
Freddie Freeman, Freeway Series
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman Added To 2022 MLB All-Star Game

July 17, 2022
July 18, 2022
Tony Gonsolin
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Tony Gonsolin Not Focused On National League Cy Young Race Award

August 24, 2022
August 25, 2022

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어