What Happened to Ippei Mizuhara?
Ippei Mizuhara, former longtime interpreter for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off illegal gambling debts. He pleaded guilty to the charges and began serving a 57-month federal prison sentence in June 2025, with a scheduled release in July 2029.
Quick Answer
Ippei Mizuhara is currently serving a 57-month (four years and nine months) federal prison sentence at Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania, for bank fraud and filing a false tax return. He was sentenced on February 6, 2025, after admitting to stealing nearly $17 million from his former client, Shohei Ohtani, to cover his substantial illegal gambling debts. Mizuhara is also ordered to pay approximately $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and over $1.1 million to the IRS. He is scheduled to be released from federal custody on July 1, 2029, and is likely to be deported to Japan upon completion of his sentence.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Meets Shohei Ohtani
Ippei Mizuhara meets Shohei Ohtani while Ohtani is playing baseball in Japan, beginning their long professional relationship.
Ohtani's U.S. Bank Account Opened
Mizuhara assists Ohtani in opening a bank account in Phoenix for his MLB salary deposits, gaining access to its details.
Begins Illegal Sports Betting
Mizuhara starts placing sports bets with an illegal bookmaker, Matthew Bowyer, and quickly incurs substantial debts.
Fired by Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers fire Mizuhara after allegations surface that he stole millions from Shohei Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.
Ohtani Addresses Media
Shohei Ohtani publicly states he never bet on baseball and was unaware of Mizuhara's actions until March 19, cooperating fully with investigations.
Federal Charges Filed
Federal authorities charge Mizuhara with one count of bank fraud for stealing over $16 million from Ohtani.
Agrees to Plea Deal
Mizuhara agrees to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
Pleads Guilty in Federal Court
Mizuhara formally pleads guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return, admitting to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani. MLB closes its investigation, clearing Ohtani.
Sentenced to Prison
Mizuhara is sentenced to 57 months (4 years, 9 months) in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $16.975 million to Ohtani and $1.149 million to the IRS.
Begins Prison Sentence
After several delays, Ippei Mizuhara surrenders to Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania, to begin his 57-month sentence.
Bookmaker Mathew Bowyer Released
Mathew Bowyer, the illegal bookmaker involved in Mizuhara's case, is released from federal prison after serving his sentence.
Venetian Fined Over Bowyer's Gambling
The Nevada Gaming Commission fines The Venetian Resort Las Vegas $7.2 million for allowing illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer to gamble at the casino between 2019 and 2021.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Ippei Mizuhara's downfall began with a severe gambling addiction that led him to steal nearly $17 million from his longtime friend and client, MLB star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara, who served as Ohtani's interpreter and de facto manager since 2013, exploited his position of trust and access to Ohtani's finances. The scheme involved Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani in calls to the bank to authorize wire transfers from Ohtani's account to illegal bookmakers, starting as early as September 2021.
The scandal erupted on March 20, 2024, when the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani's new team, fired Mizuhara amidst reports of 'massive theft' and an investigation into his gambling activities. Initially, Mizuhara claimed Ohtani had agreed to help him with his debts, but Ohtani's legal team quickly asserted that the player was a victim of theft. Federal authorities subsequently charged Mizuhara with one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return on April 11, 2024, after determining he had stolen over $16 million and failed to report significant income.
A key turning point was Mizuhara's agreement to a plea deal in May 2024, followed by his formal guilty plea on June 4, 2024. During his plea, Mizuhara admitted to his crimes, stating he had fallen into major gambling debt and wired money from Ohtani's account. The federal investigation cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing, confirming he was a victim of fraud.
On February 6, 2025, Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months (four years and nine months) in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $16,975,010 in restitution to Ohtani and $1,149,400 to the IRS. He was initially ordered to surrender by March 24, 2025, but this date was delayed multiple times at his attorney's request. Mizuhara ultimately began serving his sentence on June 16, 2025, at Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania. His release is scheduled for July 1, 2029, and due to his felony conviction, he is expected to be deported to Japan afterward.
The repercussions of Mizuhara's actions extended beyond his personal fate. The illegal bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, to whom Mizuhara owed money, also faced legal consequences, pleading guilty to federal charges and being sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison in August 2025, and was released in March 2026. Furthermore, in August 2026, Nevada regulators fined The Venetian Resort Las Vegas $7.2 million for failing to prevent Bowyer from gambling at their casino between 2019 and 2021, highlighting the broader impact of illegal gambling operations.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Ippei Mizuhara made different choices?