A former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani faces bank fraud charges for allegedly stealing $16 million from Ohtani’s account to cover gambling debts.
Ippei Mizuhara is accused of sending the money to illegal sports betting without Ohtani’s knowledge. US Attorney E. Martin Estrada clarified that Ohtani was a victim and not involved in the scheme.
The incident echoes past scandals in baseball history, including Pete Rose’s ban for gambling. Ohtani, known for his baseball prowess, denied any involvement in betting. Mizuhara, who worked closely with Ohtani, is expected to surrender to authorities. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
The investigation stemmed from a broader probe into illegal sports gambling in Southern California by the IRS and Homeland Security.
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