The world of sports is no stranger to scandals and betrayals, and the recent case involving Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, is a prime example. The U.S. government is on a mission to seize a set of valuable baseball cards owned by Mizuhara, who admitted to unlawfully taking nearly $17 million from the renowned Los Angeles Angels player.
In a bold move, federal prosecutors have filed a legal motion with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, requesting approval to confiscate Mizuhara’s treasured baseball card collection. This assortment of coveted cards, obtained between January and March of 2024, was procured using Ohtani’s money through various online platforms like eBay and Whatnot, amounting to a staggering $325,000.
Amongst the illustrious cards in Mizuhara’s possession are pieces featuring legendary players such as Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and ironically, Shohei Ohtani himself. The details of the plea agreement shed light on Mizuhara’s actions, illustrating a tale of deception and exploitation that has shocked the sports community.
As part of the agreed-upon plea deal, prosecutors are pushing for the forfeiture of these prized possessions as a form of retribution against Mizuhara. In addition to the baseball cards, Mizuhara has also consented to relinquish other sports memorabilia acquired with ill-gotten funds. His unmasking as a fraudster came in May when he entered into a plea agreement, culminating in a formal guilty plea in June on charges of bank and tax fraud.
The betrayal runs deep, as Mizuhara not only served as Ohtani’s interpreter but also as a trusted confidant and pseudo-manager after Ohtani’s arrival in the U.S. in 2018. Over the years, Mizuhara brazenly diverted millions from Ohtani’s accounts to fuel his gambling habits and finance his voracious appetite for high-end baseball collectibles.
The upcoming sentencing hearing for Mizuhara, scheduled for October 25, is anticipated to include a decision on the government’s request for forfeiture. The case, officially known as United States v. Mizuhara, C.D. Cal., No. 8:24-cr-00054-JWH, 9/16/24, has captivated the attention of sports enthusiasts and legal observers alike, underscoring the repercussions of betrayal and deceit in the world of professional sports.
