In a plot twist straight out of a baseball-themed crime drama, the U.S. government is making moves to seize a trove of valuable baseball cards that were purchased with stolen funds. The culprit in question is none other than Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball sensation who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels. This sordid tale involves embezzlement to the tune of nearly $17 million, leaving the baseball world in shock.
The legal saga took a new turn when federal prosecutors officially submitted a request to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. They were seeking permission to confiscate Mizuhara’s treasured collection of baseball cards, alongside all associated packaging materials and card-protecting equipment. Mizuhara’s date with destiny is set for a sentencing hearing towards late October, where his fate will be decided.
During the spree of fiscal folly between January and March 2024, Mizuhara went on a spending spree like no other. Using Ohtani’s hard-earned cash, he splurged over $325,000 on baseball cards bought from popular online marketplaces such as eBay and Whatnot. His eclectic collection boasts cards featuring legendary players like Yogi Berra, rising star Juan Soto, and even Ohtani himself, adding a layer of irony to this elaborate scheme.
As part of the plea bargain struck with prosecutors, they are pushing for the forfeiture of these ill-gotten gains as a crucial component of Mizuhara’s punishment. The former interpreter, who had also consented to parting ways with other sports memorabilia procured using Ohtani’s money, had inked the plea agreement back in May. Subsequently, he formally entered a guilty plea in June on charges related to bank and tax fraud, cementing his fall from grace.
Mizuhara, aged 39, had worn many hats in the world of Ohtani, serving not just as an interpreter but also as a confidant and an unofficial manager since the athlete’s arrival with the Angels back in 2018. However, behind this facade of friendship and trust, Mizuhara had been orchestrating a grand scheme to channel millions from Ohtani’s financial accounts. The money was used to cover his personal gambling debts and procure an array of high-end baseball collectibles, setting the stage for this astonishing legal showdown.
The curtain is set to fall on this dramatic narrative when the court convenes to deliberate on the forfeiture request in line with Mizuhara’s impending sentencing, scheduled for October 25. The case, officially known as United States v. Mizuhara and bearing the docket number C.D. Cal., No. 8:24-cr-00054-JWH, continues to be a stark reminder of how even the most glamorous of worlds can be marred by deception and greed.
