Interpreter Looking For Plea Deal

The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is reportedly negotiating a guilty plea following allegations of illegal gambling.  

According to the New York Times, Ippei Mizuhara  (on the right in photo above) is in negotiations to plead guilty to federal crimes in connection with his reported theft of millions of dollars from Ohtani. 

He faces many years in prison if convicted.

 Prosecutors say Mizuhara stole more than 16-million dollars from Ohtani to engage in illegal gambling.  Ohtani said last month he had zero knowledge of what happened to his money, while Mizuhara was quickly fired by the Dodgers. 

Investigators have determined that  Ohtani had no involvement in the gambling mess, and did not engage in any gambling activity of his own.

FILE – Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani walks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara at batting practice during spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix on Feb. 12, 2024. The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the slugger. Federal authorities announced the development Thursday, April 11, at a press conference in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) used locally April 11th 2024

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