A nearly four-minute audio recording has allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, impersonating the baseball star during a call with a bank as he tried to transfer $200,000 for what he described as a car loan, according to federal prosecutors.
This recording, referenced in a court filing, is being used to support prosecutors’ push for a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani. Prosecutors are also seeking restitution of the nearly $17 million to Ohtani, as well as a penalty of over $1 million to the IRS.
Mizuhara is set to be sentenced on February 6 after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Freedman, did not respond to an email seeking comment.
In the recording, a man is heard introducing himself as Ohtani and mentioning that he attempted to log into online banking, but it wasn’t accessible. He then confirms that the amount for the transaction is $200,000.
During the call, when the bank representative asks about the purpose of the transaction, the man replies that it’s for a car loan. When asked about his relationship to the payee, he says, “Um, he’s my friend.”
The recording, which was obtained from the bank by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell, does not specify when it was made.
Towards the end of the call, the bank representative inquires, “Will there be any future wires to your friend?” The man responds, “Possibly.”
According to the legal filing, Mizuhara began accessing Ohtani’s account around November 2021, altering the security settings to impersonate him and approve wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara allegedly used the stolen funds to purchase approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards through online resellers eBay and Whatnot.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to using millions of dollars from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his mounting gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as medical bills and the purchase of $325,000 worth of baseball cards.
Mizuhara was present for many of Ohtani’s career milestones, including being Ohtani’s catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game and being there for his two American League MVP wins and record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. Off the field, he became a close friend and confidant to Ohtani.
Mizuhara made headlines in 2021 when he resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the MLB lockout to continue his communication with Ohtani. He was rehired after an agreement was reached, and their wives reportedly socialized together.
However, Mizuhara lost it all, placing tens of millions of dollars in bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football—though prosecutors noted that he never placed any bets on baseball.
