Ippei Mizuhara, the Japanese-language interpreter who formerly worked closely with Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and is accused of stealing $16m to cover gambling debt, appeared in federal court on Friday (12 April) and was released on $25,000 bond.
According to a tweet from The Athletic’s Sam Blum, Mizuhara was shackled entering court.
The interpreter is being charged with federal bank fraud, which carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison. His arraignment in the illegal wagering case is scheduled for 9 May.
Late on Thursday (11 April) Mizuhara turned himself into federal authorities, according to the US Attorney’s office. According to an affidavit filed on Thursday, Mizuhara stole from Ohtani to pay off debts he incurred betting with an illegal bookmaker in Orange County, California. Sports betting is illegal in California.
During the two-year ordeal, Mizuhara bet hundreds of millions of dollars. He also systematically transferred access to Ohtani’s acc..