Feds Want $18.1 Million in Restitution for Shohei Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter
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According to a new report, federal prosecutors have asked for a nearly five-year sentence and $18.1 million in restitution in the case of Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Evan Drellich and Sam Blum of The Athletic reported Thursday that Mizuhara is next scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on Feb. 6. His sentencing has been delayed while prosecutors have gathered new evidence — including an audio recording demonstrating Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani in order to secure a $200,000 wire transfer.
That recording, published Thursday by The Athletic, "was filed to back up the prosecution's claims that Mizuhara repeatedly called the bank to arrange wire transfers, having bypassed security measures by routing Ohtani's online account information to his own email and phone number," according to The Athletic.
The prosecution will ask for "restitution of nearly $17 million to Ohtani and another $1.1 million to the IRS," even though Mizuhara will not be able to pay back that sum after racking up a massive gambling debt through an illegal bookmaker.
More to come on this report from Newsweek Sports.