In a recent court filing, federal prosecutors responded to claims made by Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who alleged he stole money to cover substantial gambling debts.
The prosecutors stressed that Mizuhara’s assertions about having a gambling addiction prior to the unauthorized withdrawals lacked any supporting evidence.
Mizuhara’s Sentencing and Claims
Mizuhara, who is set for sentencing on February 6 after pleading guilty in June, is seeking a reduced sentence of 18 months.
This plea comes in stark contrast to the nearly five-year sentence that prosecutors have requested.
He expressed remorse for his actions, attributing his behavior to an alleged long-standing gambling problem, claiming he frequented casinos multiple times a week.
However, prosecutors pushed back, claiming their investigation found little to substantiate Mizuhara’s gambling addiction.
They noted that his defense largely hinged on unverified comments he made during a consultation with a psychologist, which was sought specifically for the purposes of sentencing.
Prosecutorial Findings
The details shared in court painted a different picture of Mizuhara’s gambling history.
Investigators combed through records from over 30 casinos across the country and identified just one instance of him spending $200 at the Mirage casino in 2008.
Although he registered with FanDuel in 2018, he never placed any bets; it was only in 2023, after embezzling millions from Ohtani, that he actually started gambling on DraftKings.
Prosecutors challenged Mizuhara’s claim of being under severe financial strain that drove him to commit theft.
They pointed out that when he executed his first fraudulent transaction of $40,000 in September 2021, he had more than $34,000 in his checking account, suggesting he had sufficient funds to meet his obligations without resorting to theft.
Further scrutiny of Mizuhara’s finances revealed that he had been transferring gambling winnings into his personal bank account, raising suspicions about his intentions regarding repaying Ohtani.
Conclusion and Prosecutorial Stance
In Mizuhara’s defense, he mentioned that living costs near Ohtani were burdensome, claiming his rent was a significant financial strain.
The prosecution countered this assertion by presenting bank statements that revealed he had been using Ohtani’s debit card for expenses without proper authorization, implying that he did not face legitimate financial difficulties.
Throughout these proceedings, prosecutors highlighted that Mizuhara consistently maintained a healthy account balance, exceeding $30,000 as recently as March 2023, and anticipating over $195,000 by March 2024.
They also indicated that Mizuhara declined several business opportunities encouraged by Ohtani, which suggested he preferred to misappropriate funds rather than pursue honest employment.
Concluding their arguments, prosecutors stated that a severe prison sentence is warranted due to the seriousness of Mizuhara’s actions.
They reiterated their recommendation for 57 months in prison, along with three years of supervised release, and a restitution order exceeding $16 million to Ohtani, in addition to $1.1 million owed to the IRS.
The prosecutors pointed out that while Mizuhara may feel regret over his public scandal, his narrative appears more focused on justifying his conduct than on expressing genuine remorse for the harm he inflicted.
This case underscores the essential values of integrity and accountability, serving as a reminder for everyone to uphold principles of honesty and transparency in both personal and professional spheres.
