Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara lost more than $40 million through sports betting over a 26-month span, according to a bombshell criminal complaint released by federal prosecutors on Thursday.
Mizuhara, who was charged with federal bank fraud Thursday after being accused of stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts, allegedly placed about 19,000 bets, averaging roughly $12,800 per wager, ranging between $10 and $160,000, over a period from December 2021 to January 2024.
In total, Mizuhara won $142,256,769.74, and lost $182,935,206.68 through the illegal bookmaker.
Shohei Ohtani, right, of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media with the help of his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, left, during DodgerFest a celebration of the upcoming season. MediaNews Group via Getty Images Investigators found no evidence of Mizuhara betting on baseball.
The complaint uncovered messages exchanged between Mizuhara and the bookie, providing a glimpse of how he fell into such a hole.
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“I’m terrible at this sport betting thing huh? Lol . . . Any chance u can bump me again?? As you know, you don’t have to worry about me not paying!!” Mizuhara wrote in mid-November 2022, per the complaint.
By last summer, Mizuhara’s fortunes didn’t get any better.
“I have a problem lol” Mizuhara allegedly wrote in June 2023.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara looks on during DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium on February 03. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images By late last year, Mizuhara was apparently looking for a way out of his massive debt.
“I’m gonna be honest, I ended up losing a lot of money on crypto the last couple years and I took a huge hit obviously with the sports too…Just wanted to ask, is there any way we can settle on an amount? I’ve lost way too much on the site already…of course I know it’s my fault,” Mizuhara wrote in mid-November 2023, according to the complaint.
Mizuhara had previously been accused of stealing $4.5 million from Ohtani.
“At this point Mr. Ohtani is considered a victim in this case,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said on Thursday, according to The Athletic, adding that Ohtani “has cooperated fully and completely” with the investigation.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Mizuhara was in talks on a plea deal with federal authorities.
