Shohei Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Asks for Leniency in Sentence, Reveals Reasons for Gambling Issues
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani, has sent a letter to Judge John W. Holcomb, asking for leniency in his sentencing. Mizuhara is currently facing charges of bank fraud and tax fraud, having stolen nearly $17 million of Ohtani’s money to pay off his gambling debts.
Mizuhara, who worked as Ohtani’s interpreter and manager, revealed that he was responsible for a wide range of tasks, including driving Ohtani to and from appointments, managing his schedule, and handling his finances. He also had to sacrifice his own life and the lives of his family members to support Ohtani.
The busy baseball schedule, combined with the international time difference and the need to communicate with Ohtani’s management team in Japan, left Mizuhara with little time to rest or pursue his own interests. He often went without sleep and struggled to make ends meet, feeling severely underpaid.
Mizuhara explained that he felt trapped in his role, unable to speak up for himself or pursue his own financial interests. He was paid a salary by the Angels, but Ohtani also paid him a small stipend, which was not enough to cover his expenses.
Feeling desperate and trapped, Mizuhara turned to gambling as a way to make ends meet. He accumulated significant debt, which he was unable to pay off, and was forced to use Ohtani’s money to settle his debts.
In his letter, Mizuhara asked for an 18-month sentence, citing his sacrifices and the factors that drove him to gamble. He hopes that Judge Holcomb can find some sympathy for his situation and consider his side of the story.
