Shohei Ohtani Takes Legal Action to Recover $325,000 in Baseball Cards Fraudulently Purchased by Ex-Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara
Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is seeking legal action to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards that were allegedly purchased with his money by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. The Los Angeles Dodgers player claims that Mizuhara fraudulently used his bank account funds to buy approximately $325,000 worth of collectible cards, including signed baseball memorabilia depicting Ohtani himself.
Court documents filed on Tuesday reveal that Ohtani is demanding Mizuhara return the baseball cards, which Ohtani asserts were “wrongfully and unauthorizedly” taken. Mizuhara, who previously served as Ohtani’s interpreter and confidant, pleaded guilty in June to charges of bank and tax fraud, admitting to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani. According to the legal filing, Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s Arizona-based bank account beginning in November 2021, changing security settings and using the stolen credentials to authorize wire transfers without Ohtani’s knowledge.
By 2024, Mizuhara had allegedly used the stolen funds to purchase the baseball cards from online resellers, including eBay and Whatnot, as stated in the court documents. In addition to the cards, Mizuhara spent millions of Ohtani’s dollars to cover gambling debts and personal medical expenses, according to the filings. These revelations are part of a broader scheme in which Mizuhara gambled away tens of millions of dollars on international sports events, such as soccer, NBA, NFL, and college football. Prosecutors have clarified, however, that Mizuhara did not place bets on baseball.
Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Freedman, declined to comment on the filing or provide any response to the latest legal developments.
In addition to his fraudulent activities involving Ohtani’s bank accounts, Mizuhara also faces a possible prison sentence of more than 30 years for his role in the fraud, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for January. The charges against him include one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. Mizuhara may also be liable for restitution to Ohtani, who could be owed up to $17 million, along with over $1 million in unpaid taxes to the IRS. As a legal permanent resident with a green card, Mizuhara could also face deportation to Japan following his sentencing.
Mizuhara had been a close figure in Ohtani’s career, from serving as his interpreter and catching for him during the 2021 Home Run Derby, to being there for Ohtani’s two American League MVP awards and his record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Off the field, Mizuhara was a trusted friend and confidant to Ohtani, with both families reportedly maintaining a close relationship.
However, despite the bond between them, Mizuhara’s actions devastated his reputation and personal life. His gambling addiction led him to make reckless decisions with money that was not his to gamble. Mizuhara’s betrayal has had significant consequences, both personally and professionally, for Ohtani.
This legal battle is just one chapter in what has been a tumultuous period for Mizuhara, whose involvement in Ohtani’s career once seemed inseparable from the athlete’s success. Earlier this year, Ohtani led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series victory, while also winning his third MVP award. Now, Ohtani is focused on holding Mizuhara accountable for his actions and recovering the stolen funds and memorabilia.
