Case Closed!
Mizuhara had helped Ohtani set up his bank accounts and "used that familiarity" to steal the funds from Ohtani to help pay for illegal sports bets, the DOJ alleged. He is also accused of impersonating Ohtani over the phone with the bank to approve wire transfers to the bookmakers, the DOJ said.
Estrada stressed that Ohtani is considered a victim in the case and has cooperated "fully and completely" in the investigation.
"There is no evidence to indicate that Mr. Ohtani authorized the over $16 million of transfers from his account to the bookmakers," Estrada said.
Any winnings were deposited in Mizuhara's own personal bank account, not any account owned by Ohtani, and the ex-interpreter allegedly admitted to a bookmaker to stealing from Ohtani, according to Estrada. Ohtani also provided his cellphone to investigators, who did not find any evidence to suggest that he was aware of or involved in the illegal gambling activity, the DOJ said.
Play Ball…
Mizuhara had helped Ohtani set up his bank accounts and "used that familiarity" to steal the funds from Ohtani to help pay for illegal sports bets, the DOJ alleged. He is also accused of impersonating Ohtani over the phone with the bank to approve wire transfers to the bookmakers, the DOJ said.
Estrada stressed that Ohtani is considered a victim in the case and has cooperated "fully and completely" in the investigation.
"There is no evidence to indicate that Mr. Ohtani authorized the over $16 million of transfers from his account to the bookmakers," Estrada said.
Any winnings were deposited in Mizuhara's own personal bank account, not any account owned by Ohtani, and the ex-interpreter allegedly admitted to a bookmaker to stealing from Ohtani, according to Estrada. Ohtani also provided his cellphone to investigators, who did not find any evidence to suggest that he was aware of or involved in the illegal gambling activity, the DOJ said.
Play Ball…
The Department of Justice just announced that Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been charged with bank fraud after allegedly stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani.
This whole thing came crashing down last month. Around the day Mizuhara was fired, he reportedly messaged Bowyer, who said he didn't believe the claims that Mizuhara stole from Ohtani.
At that point, Mizuhara allegedly came clean:
At that point, Mizuhara allegedly came clean:
