Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ohtani seeks baseball cards from ex-interpreter

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Wednesday, 27 November 2024 21:51

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani wants his former interpreter to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards he says were fraudulently bought using his money.

Ohtani is also requesting Ippei Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from the unsuspecting athlete, return signed collectible baseball cards depicting Ohtani that were in Mizuhara's "unauthorized and wrongful possession," according to court documents filed Tuesday.

The legal filing alleges Mizuhara accessed Ohtani's bank account beginning around November 2021, changing his security protocols so that he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used that money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers eBay and Whatnot, according to the court documents.

Mizuhara's attorney, Michael G. Freedman, declined to comment on the filing.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to spending millions from Ohtani's Arizona bank account to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as his own medical bills and the $325,000 worth of baseball cards.

Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced in January after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, crimes that carry a potential sentence of more than 30 years in federal prison. He also could be on the hook for restitution to Ohtani that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. And as a legal permanent resident who has a green card, he might be deported to Japan.

Mizuhara stood by Ohtani's side for many of the Japanese sensation's career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game, to being there for his two American League MVP wins and his record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers.

Off the field, Mizuhara became Ohtani's friend and confidant. But Mizuhara gambled it all away, betting tens of millions of dollars that weren't his to wager on international soccer, NBA, NFL and college football games -- though prosecutors said he never bet on baseball.

Last month, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and the baseball star won his third Most Valuable Player award last Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 104 times

Soccer

Alexander-Arnold a doubt for Carabao Cup final

Alexander-Arnold a doubt for Carabao Cup final

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is a huge doubt for the L...

Slot: Loss to PSG 'best game' I've been part of

Slot: Loss to PSG 'best game' I've been part of

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLIVERPOOL, England -- Liverpool head coach Arne Slot described the...

PSG oust Liverpool in shootout to reach UCL last 8

PSG oust Liverpool in shootout to reach UCL last 8

Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 4-1 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Champions League quar...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Zion posts 2nd triple-double in 2 weeks in Pels' win

Zion posts 2nd triple-double in 2 weeks in Pels' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW ORLEANS -- Shortly after Zion Williamson's second triple-double...

Cavs win 15th straight for 2nd time this season

Cavs win 15th straight for 2nd time this season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- The wins and accomplishments keep piling up for the NB...

Baseball

Bello to miss season's start; Devers delays debut

Bello to miss season's start; Devers delays debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello won't...

Yankees' Fried eager to step up after loss of Cole

Yankees' Fried eager to step up after loss of Cole

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPlans for a pair of aces are on hold with Gerrit Cole out for the 2...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated