Title: Former MLB Translator Charged with Bank Fraud for Stealing $16 Million from Shohei Ohtani

In a shocking development, Ippei Mizuhara, the former translator of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, has been charged with bank fraud for allegedly stealing over $16 million from the Japanese phenom. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday.

According to prosecutors, Mizuhara, who had been working with Ohtani since he signed with the Angels in 2018, had direct access to Ohtani's bank account. It is alleged that Mizuhara used this access to transfer millions of dollars to an illegal bookmaker in California, where sports betting is banned.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated that Mizuhara's motive for the theft was to fund his illegal sports betting habit. Estrada also revealed that recordings of telephone calls were obtained, in which Mizuhara posed as Ohtani and falsely claimed to be wiring funds for a car loan. Mizuhara allegedly took advantage of his position of trust, denying anyone else access to Ohtani's bank account.

During the press conference, Estrada emphasized that Ohtani is considered a victim in this case. The young baseball sensation has cooperated fully with the investigation, providing access to his digital devices. Communication between Mizuhara and Ohtani showed no indication of any involvement in betting activities or authorization of transfers to bookmakers.

The investigation, led by the Internal Revenue Service's criminal division, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, uncovered dozens of messages exchanged between Mizuhara and the bookmaker. In these messages, Mizuhara admitted to his losses and sought additional funds from the bookmaker.

Prosecutors confirmed that the stolen funds were used to cover Mizuhara's gambling losses, while any winnings were deposited into his personal account. The criminal complaint also revealed that Mizuhara had wagered approximately 19,000 times between December 2021 and January 2024, resulting in a net loss of over $40 million.

If convicted of bank fraud, Mizuhara could face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. He is expected to appear in court in the coming days.

The attorneys representing both Ohtani and Mizuhara declined to comment on the ongoing case. However, neither confirmed nor denied reports of a potential guilty plea by Mizuhara.

This scandal has undoubtedly shaken the baseball world, particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Mizuhara was fired as Ohtani's interpreter last month amidst allegations of illegal sports gambling. Initially, Mizuhara claimed that Ohtani had agreed to cover his gambling debts, but later changed his statement, asserting that Ohtani had no knowledge of the situation.

Ohtani, for his part, has maintained his innocence, stating publicly that he has never bet on baseball or any other sports. He referred to Mizuhara's actions as a "massive theft" and expressed his shock and difficulty in processing the situation.

The investigation is ongoing, and both prosecutors and Ohtani's representatives have assured cooperation. It remains to be seen how this scandal will impact Ohtani's career and the wider implications it may have on sports gambling in Major League Baseball.