Baseball star Shohei Ohtani is seeking the return of valuable baseball cards, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, which he claims were purchased fraudulently using his funds. The request is directed at his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who has a history of criminal activity involving Ohtani.
According to court documents filed on Tuesday, Mizuhara has been accused of illegally accessing Ohtani’s bank account since November 2021. By manipulating security measures, he was able to impersonate Ohtani and authorize wire transfers. By the end of 2024, Mizuhara allegedly used these stolen funds to buy approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online platforms like eBay and Whatnot.
Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to charges related to bank and tax fraud—including stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani—now faces an upcoming sentencing in January. His crimes could lead to a prison sentence exceeding 30 years, in addition to potential restitution payments of almost $17 million to Ohtani and over $1 million to the IRS. As a green card holder, he might also face deportation to Japan.
Michael G. Freedman, Mizuhara’s attorney, has refrained from commenting on these legal proceedings. Mizuhara admitted in June that he misappropriated millions from Ohtani’s bank account to fund his extensive gambling debts, medical expenses, and those baseball card purchases.
The two men developed a close friendship off the field, with Mizuhara even resigning from his position with the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout to maintain communication with Ohtani. Their families reportedly socialized as well.
However, Mizuhara’s gambling addiction has caused him to lose everything, as he reportedly wagered tens of millions on international soccer, the NBA, NFL, and college football, although prosecutors confirmed he did not place any bets on baseball.
This year, Ohtani celebrated significant achievements, including winning the World Series alongside the Dodgers and receiving his third Most Valuable Player award.
