Ex-Interpreter Impersonated Shohei Ohtani Dozens of Times on the Phone to Wire Millions from His Bank Account: Feds

Ex-Interpreter Embroiled in Shohei Ohtani Impersonation Scandal

In a shocking turn of events, former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been accused of impersonating MLB star Shohei Ohtani multiple times to commit fraud, as detailed by federal prosecutors. The elaborate scheme involved Mizuhara allegedly posing as Ohtani on numerous occasions over the phone to attempt to wire millions of dollars from the baseball player’s bank account, as reported by ESPN.

The incriminating evidence came to light on Thursday, Jan. 23, when federal prosecutors released an audio recording from February 2, 2022. In this recording, Mizuhara purportedly called the bank and pretended to be Ohtani a staggering 24 times in an effort to transfer funds from the sports icon’s account, according to court documents. The extent of the deception is truly astonishing, revealing a breach of trust and misuse of authority.

Following his false identification as Ohtani, Mizuhara reportedly claimed he was unable to access the online banking system and proceeded to provide the necessary verification details for a wire transfer of $200,000 to a supposed “friend” for a car loan. Despite initial suspicion raised by the bank employee during the call, Mizuhara assured them of the legitimacy of the transaction, citing email confirmation and in-person discussions with the recipient.

Subsequently, Mizuhara was charged with bank fraud and filing a false tax return. As a consequence, federal prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 57 months in prison for Mizuhara, along with a substantial restitution amount of nearly $17 million to be repaid to Ohtani, in addition to $1.1 million to the IRS, as per reports from ESPN. The severity of the charges reflects the gravity of the situation and its far-reaching implications.

In a bid for leniency, Mizuhara penned a letter to U.S. District Court Judge John W. Holcomb, citing financial difficulties and expressing remorse for his actions. He acknowledged the impact of his actions on Ohtani, whom he admired not only as a baseball player but also as a person. Mizuhara’s plea for forgiveness underscores the magnitude of the betrayal and the repercussions of his deceitful conduct.

Having been terminated from his position on March 20, Mizuhara is set to face sentencing on February 6. The legal proceedings surrounding this case have garnered significant attention, shedding light on the intricate web of deception woven by Mizuhara in his attempt to exploit his connection to Ohtani for personal gain.

As the investigation unfolds, the repercussions of Mizuhara’s actions reverberate through the realms of sports, justice, and trust. The saga serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of breaching ethical boundaries and underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in all interactions, especially within professional relationships. The outcome of the case remains to be seen, but its impact resonates far beyond the confines of this unfortunate incident.