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Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion
A Japanese-language interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges for illegally transferring almost $17 million from a Major League Baseball (MLB) player’s bank account – without the player’s knowledge or permission – to pay off his own substantial gambling debts incurred with an illegal bookmaking operation and for signing a false tax return, the Justice Department announced today.
Ippei Mizuhara, 39, of Newport Beach, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, which carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison.
Mizuhara, who is charged in a two-count information filed today, is expected to enter a plea of guilty to the charges in United States District Court in the coming weeks. His arraignment is scheduled for May 14.
“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.”
Mizuhara, who was the translator and de facto manager of MLB star Shohei Ohtani, used Ohtani’s password to sign into the bank account and then changed the account’s security protocols without Ohtani’s knowledge or permission. He impersonated Ohtani and used Ohtani’s personal identifying information to deceive the bank and obtain money from the account.
According to his plea agreement, Mizuhara began placing sports bets with an illegal bookmaker in September 2021 and quickly became indebted to the bookmaker. Unable to pay his gambling debts, Mizuhara orchestrated a scheme to deceive and cheat the bank to fraudulently obtain money from the account.
The Justice Department praised the joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations, which clearly showed that Mizuhara not only stole from Ohtani but also lied to the IRS about his income. “Mr. Mizuhara exploited his relationship with Mr. Ohtani to bankroll his own irresponsibility,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office.
The case highlights the threat posed by financial crimes in the Los Angeles-area, said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent Eddy Wang. “The HSI-led El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force is dedicated to protecting all victims of financial fraud from all walks of life.”
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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